Interactive Athletic Equipment System

ABSTRACT

Systems and techniques for the collection and display of athletic information. Athletic data relating to a single person or group of people is collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed at a desired remote location so that the person or people can review and critique their performance. In addition, athletic data for multiple persons can be collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed to a user at a desired remote location, so that the user can compare his or her athletic activities to others.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/484,918, filed Apr. 11, 2017, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/521,676, filed Oct. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,643,052, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/082,893, filed Nov. 18, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,882,639, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/334,781, filed Dec. 22,2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,585,555, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/397,061, filed Mar. 3, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.8,088,044, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/033,355, filed on Mar. 3,2008. The contents of the above noted applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety for any and all non-limitingpurposes and made a part hereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the collection and display of athleticinformation. Some aspects of the invention have particular applicabilityto the collection of athletic information over a network, and displayingthe collected information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While most people appreciate the importance of physical fitness, manyhave difficulty finding the motivation required to maintain a regularexercise program. Some people find it particularly difficult to maintainan exercise regimen that involves continuously repetitive motions, suchas running, walking and bicycling.

Experienced athletes and trainers have found that feedback provides manypeople with motivation to maintain a regular exercise program. When aperson can directly experience the results provided by an exerciseprogram, that person typically will be encouraged to continueexercising. Unfortunately, the physical improvements obtained fromexercise often come too slowly to provide sufficient motivation for manypeople to maintain a regular exercise program. It would therefore beuseful for many athletes to have a more immediate, visual type offeedback to provide motivation for regular exercise.

Many experienced athletes and trainers also have found that competitionmay provide an even stronger motivation to maintain a regular exerciseprogram. Some athletes, for example, will be more motivated to exercisewhen competing against a partner than by exercising alone. Theseathletes may, for example, exercise with a partner, enter into athleticcontests such as races, or even just compare their current performanceability with a friend's.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the invention relate to the collection and display ofathletic information. With some implementations of the invention,athletic data relating to a single person is collected and displayed sothat the person can fully critique his or her performance. For example,a set of athletic data corresponding to athletic activity performed by aperson over a first time period may be displayed as a graph. If the setof athletic data is generated from, e.g., a person running or walking,then the person's speed may be plotted against his or her distance overthe time period for the activity. With some implementations, the set ofathletic data can be analyzed, and the analysis results can be displayedsimultaneously with the graph. For example, with a set of athletic dataobtained from a person running, the data can be analyzed to determinethe change in speed (i.e., acceleration or deceleration) between fixeddistances (first mile, second mile, etc.). This information can then bedisplayed with the graph, so that the person can review when and howmuch he or she changed speed during the run.

With still other implementations of the invention, a person can comparea set of athletic data with another set of athletic data having adesired characteristic. For example, if a selected set of athletic datais generated from, e.g., a person running over a particular time period,then the person may wish to compare his or her performance for that“run” with his or her best speed for a similar previous run. Thus, ifthe run covered a distance of, e.g., 4 miles, earlier sets of athleticdata will be analyzed to determine which data sets correspond to runs ofapproximately 4 miles. The data set having, e.g., the highest mean speedcan then be identified, and data from that previously data set displayedsimultaneously with data from the selected data set. For example, datafrom each athletic data set may be plotted as graph and rendered on adisplay. The person can then compare the selected set of athletic datawith the set of athletic data representing his or her “best” speed indetail.

Still further, some implementations may collect sets of athletic dataobtained over different time periods, and concurrently display data fromthese sets. Thus, if a person has multiple runs over a period of days,data from each run may be simultaneously displayed. For example, anicon, such as a bar or line, can be displayed for each data set. Adimension of the icon, such as, e.g., its height, can then correspond tosome data in that data set, such as the median speed of the run or thetotal distance traveled over the run. With some implementations, datafrom multiple sets may be aggregated and displayed. For examples, runsfalling within a specified category (e.g., occurring during the sameweek or month) can be grouped together, and the total distance data (or,alternatively, the total time data) for each data set in a group can beadded together. An icon, such as a bar or line, then can be displayed torepresent the sum of the data from each group. A dimension of the icon,such as, e.g., its height, may correspond to the data added togetherfrom its corresponding group of data sets.

In addition, some examples of the invention may allow a person tospecify a goal related to an athletic activity. A person may, e.g., seta goal of running a specified total distance within a specified periodof time. With these implementations of the invention, data from multiplesets of a person's athletic data may be aggregated and displayed incontrast with the person's specified goal. The goal may be displayed,for example, as an empty shape, like an oval. The aggregated data maythen be displayed as fill within the empty shape. Thus, if theaggregated data shows that the person is within 80% of his or her goal,then the shape representing the goal will be displayed as 80% filled.

With some implementations, sets of athletic data may be obtained from aplurality of different persons and displayed. For example, one or moresets of data from each of a plurality of different persons may becollected. Data from each person's data sets can then be aggregated anddisplayed to each person. For example, a set of athletic data can begenerated for each run a person makes. For each person, data from his orher data sets, such as distance data, can be added up. An icon, such asa bar or line, can then be displayed for each person to represent thesum of the data from his or her data sets. A dimension of the icon, suchas, e.g., its height, may correspond to the sum of the data added fromeach of a person's data sets.

Still further, some examples of the invention may allow a person to“invite” one or more other persons to share athletic data correspondingto their athletic activities. With some implementations of theinvention, for example, a user may send an invitation via electronicmail or a similar electronic medium to one or more other persons.Athletic data from only those invited persons may then be displayedsimultaneously as noted above. This arrangement allows each invitedperson (including the inviting host, who inherently invites himself orherself and thus is considered an invitee as well) to compare his or hercurrent athletic data with the other invitees.

With still other implementations of the invention, a person mayalternately or additional specify a common goal for the invitees. Forexample, the inviting host may specify a total combined distance thatthe invitees (including the host) are to run within a specified amountof time. Data from multiple sets of athletic data for each invitee maybe aggregated and displayed in contrast with the person's specifiedgoal. Again, the goal may be represented by the display of, for example,an empty shape, like an oval. The data aggregated from each invitee maythen be displayed as fill within the empty shape. Thus, if theaggregated data shows that the collective athletic activity of theinvitees is within 60% of the specified goal, then the shaperepresenting the goal will be displayed as 60% filled.

For yet other implementations of the invention, the performance datacollected from one or more users or athletes may be collected by anathletic device or machine and/or displayed on an athletic device ormachine console so that the user or athlete may have a substantiallyreal-time display of their performance against personal goals,benchmarks, or milestones. The user or athlete may also have a displayof their performance in a competition or challenge.

These and other features of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a computing device that may be used to implementvarious examples of the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an example of an athletic informationmonitoring device that may be employed according to various examples ofthe invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one environment in which an athletic parametermeasurement device according to various examples of the invention may beemployed.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an athletic information collection anddisplay device that may be employed to collect and/or display athleticdata according to various implementations of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an athletic data display configurationdevice that may be employed according to various examples of theinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a network including an athletic data displayconfiguration device and a plurality of client devices of the type thatmay be employed according to various examples of the invention.

FIGS. 8A-8F, 9A and 9B illustrate examples of user interfaces that maybe provided to display athletic data for a user according to variousimplementations of the invention.

FIGS. 10 and 11A-11E illustrate examples of user interfaces that may beprovided to select goals for a user according to various implementationsof the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a user interface that may be providedto indicate a user's progress toward achieving an athletic activity goalaccording to various implementations of the invention.

FIGS. 13A-13F illustrate examples of user interfaces that may beprovided to create a challenge to other users according to variousimplementations of the invention.

FIGS. 14A-14F illustrate examples of user interfaces that may beprovided to compare a user's athletic data with the athletic data ofother participating users according to various implementations of theinvention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a user interface that may be providedto memorialize a user's athletic achievements according to variousimplementations of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a user interface that may be providedto create a resolution to perform an athletic achievement according tovarious implementations of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a user interface that may be providedas part of athletic equipment according to various implementations ofthe invention

FIGS. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 illustrate an example of an athleticperformance data storage device.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example user interface for configuring datasynching between a portable music player and an athletic performancetracking site according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate example user interfaces for graphicallyillustrating a user's workout according to one or more aspects describedherein.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example user interface showing a user's pastworkouts in both a common unit and an athletic activity specific unitaccording to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example user interface providing additionalworkout information upon hovering over one of the past workout barsaccording to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 28 illustrates an example user interface that allows a user tochoose whether to show all workouts, only workouts expressed in a commonunit or only workouts expressed in an athletic activity specific unitaccording to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example user interface showing only workoutsrecorded or stored in a common unit according to one or more aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example user interface showing only workoutsrecorded or stored in an athletic activity specific unit according toone or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 31 illustrates an example user interface providing an option for auser to view goals according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 32 illustrates an example user interface showing a user's goal andthe user's current progress in reaching the goal according to one ormore aspects described herein.

FIG. 33 illustrates an example user interface providing an option for auser to view challenges according to one or more aspects describedherein.

FIGS. 34, 35, 36 and 37 illustrate example user interface showingvarious challenges in which a user is participating according to one ormore aspects described herein.

FIG. 38 illustrates an example user interface for creating a trainingprogram according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 39 illustrates an example user interface that tracks and displays aprogress of a user in completing a training program according to one ormore aspects described herein.

FIG. 40 illustrates an example training program interface displaying aseries of objectives for reaching a specified goal according to one ormore aspects described herein.

FIG. 41 illustrates an example avatar customization interface accordingto one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 42 illustrates gym equipment in the exemplary form of an ellipticalmachine having a user interface according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Operating Environment

Overview

Aspects of the invention relate to the measurement, collection anddisplay of athletic information. As will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art, athletic information must first be obtainedfrom an individual person. With various implementations of theinvention, one or more different athletic information monitoring devicesmay be used to measure and record athletic data corresponding toathletic activity performed by a person. Typically, an athleticinformation monitoring device will incorporate a sensor for measuringparameters relating to the person being monitored, and a computingdevice for processing the parameters measured by the sensor.

Once an athletic information monitoring device has recorded athleticinformation for a person's athletic activity, the person may thentransfer the recorded athletic information to one or more separatedevices, in order to view the recorded athletic data. A user may, forexample, download the recorded athletic information from an athleticinformation monitoring device to a separate collection device. Thecollection device may, in turn, transfer the athletic informationcollected from the athletic information monitoring device to a separatedisplay configuration device, where the athletic information can beorganized and configured for subsequent viewing with, e.g., stillanother device. As will be discussed in more detail below, variousimplementations of the invention will allow a person to record, collectand display athletic information using a group of computing devicescommunicating over a network, such as the Internet.

For example, some implementations of the invention may allow a person tomeasure and record athletic information using a special-purposecomputing device. The user can then transfer the recorded athleticinformation to a local computing device, such as a personal desktop orlaptop computer. More particularly, a user can download recordedathletic information from the athletic information monitoring device toa collection software tool on a local computer that acts as a “client”in a computer network. The collection software tool will then transferthe downloaded athletic information through the network to a remote“server” computer. A display configuration software tool on the remoteserver computer will then save the transferred athletic information.Later, a person can use the client computer or another local computer toretrieve the stored athletic information from the server computer. Inresponse to a display request from a local computer, the displayconfiguration software tool will configure the requested athleticinformation for display on the local computer, and then transmit theconfigured athletic information to the local computer for display.

Computing Device

Various examples of the invention may be implemented using electroniccircuitry configured to perform one or more functions. For example, withsome embodiments of the invention, the athletic information monitoringdevice, the collection device, the display device or any combinationthereof may be implemented using one or more application-specificintegrated circuits (ASICs). More typically, however, components ofvarious examples of the invention will be implemented using aprogrammable computing device executing firmware or softwareinstructions, or by some combination of purpose-specific electroniccircuitry and firmware or software instructions executing on aprogrammable computing device.

Accordingly, FIG. 1 shows one illustrative example of a computer 101that can be used to implement various embodiments of the invention. Asseen in this figure, the computer 101 has a computing unit 103. Thecomputing unit 103 typically includes a processing unit 105 and a systemmemory 107. The processing unit 105 may be any type of processing devicefor executing software instructions, but will conventionally be amicroprocessor device. The system memory 107 may include both aread-only memory (ROM) 109 and a random access memory (RAM) 111. As willbe appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, both the read-onlymemory (ROM) 109 and the random access memory (RAM) 111 may storesoftware instructions for execution by the processing unit 105.

The processing unit 105 and the system memory 107 are connected, eitherdirectly or indirectly, through a bus 113 or alternate communicationstructure to one or more peripheral devices. For example, the processingunit 105 or the system memory 107 may be directly or indirectlyconnected to additional memory storage, such as the hard disk drive 115,the removable magnetic disk drive 117, the optical disk drive 119, andthe flash memory card 121. The processing unit 105 and the system memory107 also may be directly or indirectly connected to one or more inputdevices 123 and one or more output devices 125. The input devices 123may include, for example, a keyboard, touch screen, a remote controlpad, a pointing device (such as a mouse, touchpad, stylus, trackball, orjoystick), a scanner, a camera or a microphone. The output devices 125may include, for example, a monitor display, television, printer,stereo, or speakers.

Still further, the computing unit 103 will be directly or indirectlyconnected to one or more network interfaces 127 for communicating with anetwork. This type of network interface 127, also sometimes referred toas a network adapter or network interface card (NIC), translates dataand control signals from the computing unit 103 into network messagesaccording to one or more communication protocols, such as theTransmission Control Protocol (TCP), the Internet Protocol (IP), and theUser Datagram Protocol (UDP). These protocols are well known in the art,and thus will not be discussed here in more detail. An interface 127 mayemploy any suitable connection agent for connecting to a network,including, for example, a wireless transceiver, a power line adapter, amodem, or an Ethernet connection.

It should be appreciated that, in addition to the input, output andstorage peripheral devices specifically listed above, the computingdevice may be connected to a variety of other peripheral devices,including some that may perform input, output and storage functions, orsome combination thereof. For example, the computer 101 may be connectedto a digital music player, such as an IPOD® brand digital music playeravailable from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. As known in the art,this type of digital music player can server as both an output devicefor a computer (e.g., outputting music from a sound file or picturesfrom an image file) and a storage device. In addition, this type ofdigital music play also can serve as an input device for inputtingrecorded athletic information, as will be discussed in more detailbelow.

In addition to a digital music player, the computer 101 may be connectedto or otherwise include one or more other peripheral devices, such as atelephone. The telephone may be, for example, a wireless “smart phone.”As known in the art, this type of telephone communicates through awireless network using radio frequency transmissions. In addition tosimple communication functionality, a “smart phone” may also provide auser with one or more data management functions, such as sending,receiving and viewing electronic messages (e.g., electronic mailmessages, SMS text messages, etc.), recording or playing back soundfiles, recording or playing back image files (e.g., still picture ormoving video image files), viewing and editing files with text (e.g.,Microsoft Word or Excel files, or Adobe Acrobat files), etc. Because ofthe data management capability of this type of telephone, a user mayconnect the telephone with the computer 101 so that their datamaintained may be synchronized.

Of course, still other peripheral devices may be included with ourotherwise connected to a computer 101 of the type illustrated in FIG. 1,as is well known in the art. In some cases, a peripheral device may bepermanently or semi-permanently connected to the computing unit 103. Forexample, with many computers, the computing unit 103, the hard diskdrive 117, the removable optical disk drive 119 and a display aresemi-permanently encased in a single housing. Still other peripheraldevices may be removably connected to the computer 101, however. Thecomputer 101 may include, for example, one or more communication portsthrough which a peripheral device can be connected to the computing unit103 (either directly or indirectly through the bus 113). Thesecommunication ports may thus include a parallel bus port or a serial busport, such as a serial bus port using the Universal Serial Bus (USB)standard or the IEEE 1394 High Speed Serial Bus standard (e.g., aFirewire port). Alternately or additionally, the computer 101 mayinclude a wireless data “port,” such as a Bluetooth interface, a Wi-Fiinterface, an infrared data port, or the like.

It should be appreciated that a computing device employed accordingvarious examples of the invention may include more components than thecomputer 101 illustrated in FIG. 1, fewer components than the computer101, or a different combination of components than the computer 101.Some implementations of the invention, for example, may employ one ormore computing devices that are intended to have a very specificfunctionality, such as a digital music player or server computer. Thesecomputing devices may thus omit unnecessary peripherals, such as thenetwork interface 115, removable optical disk drive 119, printers,scanners, external hard drives, etc. Some implementations of theinvention may alternately or additionally employ computing devices thatare intended to be capable of a wide variety of functions, such as adesktop or laptop personal computer. These computing devices may haveany combination of peripheral devices or additional components asdesired.

Athletic Information Monitoring Device

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of an athletic information monitoringdevice 201 that may be employed according to various examples of theinvention to measure athletic information corresponding a user'sathletic activity. As shown in this figure, the athletic informationmonitoring device 201 includes a digital music player 203, an electronicinterface device 205, and an athletic parameter measurement device 207.As will be described in more detail, the digital music player 203 is(releasably) connected to the electronic interface device 205, and thecombination is worn or otherwise carried by the user while he or she isperforming an athletic activity, such as running or walking. Theathletic parameter measurement device 207 also is worn or carried by theuser while he or she is performing an athletic activity, and measuresone or more athletic parameters relating to the athletic performancebeing performed by the user. The athletic parameter measurement device207 transmits signals to the electronic interface device 205 thatcorrespond to the measured athletic parameter. The electronic interfacedevice 205 receives the signals from the athletic parameter measurementdevice 207, and provides the received information to the digital musicplayer 203.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, the athletic parameter measurementdevice 207 includes one or more sensors 301 for measuring an athleticparameter associated with a person wearing or otherwise using theathletic parameter measurement device 207. With the illustratedimplementations, for example, the sensors 301A and 301B may beaccelerometers (such as piezoelectric accelerometers) for measuring theacceleration of the athletic parameter measurement device 207 in twoorthogonal directions. The athletic parameter measurement device 207 iscarried or otherwise worn by a user to measure the desired athleticparameter while the user exercises. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, theathletic parameter measurement device 207 may be located the sole of auser's shoe 401 while the user walks or runs. With this arrangement, thesensors 301 will produce electrical signals corresponding to themovement of the user's foot. As known in the art, these signals can thenbe used to generate athletic data representative of the athleticactivity performed by the user.

The athletic parameter measurement device 207 also includes a processor303 for processing the electrical signals output by the sensors 301.With some implementations of the invention, the processor 303 may be aprogrammable microprocessor. For still other implementations of theinvention, however, the processor 303 may be a purpose-specific circuitdevice, such as an ASIC. The processor 303 may perform any desiredoperation on the signals output from the sensors 301, such as curvesmoothing, noise filtering, outlier removal, amplification, summation,integration, or the like. The processor 303 provides the processedsignals to a transmitter 307. The athletic parameter measurement device207 also includes a power supply 307, for providing power to the sensors301, the processor 303, and the transmitter 305 as needed. The powersupply 307 may be, for example, a battery.

The athletic parameter measurement device 207 transmits the processedsignals to the electronic interface device 205, as seen in FIG. 4.Returning now to FIG. 3, the electronic interface device 205 includes areceiver 309 which receives the processed signals transmitted by thetransmitter 305 in the athletic parameter measurement device 207. Thereceiver 309 relays the processed signals to a second processor 311,which processes the signals further Like the processor 303, theprocessor 311 may perform any desired operation on the processedsignals, such as curve smoothing, noise filtering, outlier removal,amplification, summation, integration, or the like.

The processor 303 provides the processed signals to the digital musicplayer 203.

Referring back now to FIG. 2, the electronic interface device 205includes a connector system 209 that physically plugs into and connectswith a conventional input port 211 provided on digital music player 203.The input port 211 into which the connector system 209 of the electronicinterface device 205 connects may be any desired type of input port fortransferring data, such as a parallel data port, a serial data port, anearphone or microphone jack, etc.) The connector system 209 may includeany suitable connecting devices, such as wires, pins, electricalconnectors, and the like, so as to make an electrical connection orother suitable connection with corresponding elements provided in theinput port 211 of the digital music player 203 (e.g., to allowelectronic and/or data communications between the interface device 205and the electronic interface device 205). If necessary or desired,additional securing elements may be provided to securely connect theinterface device 205 to the digital music player 203, such as straps,hooks, buckles, clips, clamps, clasps, retaining elements, mechanicalconnectors, and the like.

Returning now to FIG. 3, the processor 311 provides the processedsignals to the computing unit 313. The computing unit 313 may initiallystore the processed signals in the memory 315. Further, with someimplementations of the invention, the computing unit 313 may operate onthe processed signals provided by the athletic information monitoringdevice 201 to generate a set of athletic data corresponding to theathletic activity performed by the user. For example, if the athleticinformation monitoring device 201 includes accelerometers for measuringthe movement of the user's foot, the computing unit 313 may analyze theprocessed signals from the athletic information monitoring device 201 togenerate a set of athletic data describing the user's speed at specificinstances during the user's athletic activity and the total distancetraveled by the user at each of those specific instances. Varioustechniques for determining a user's speed from accelerometer signals aredescribed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,550 to Blackadar et al.,entitled “Monitoring Activity Of A User In Locomotion On Foot,” andissued on May 24, 2005, U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,955 to Ohlenbusch et al.,entitled “Monitoring Activity Of A User In Locomotion On Foot,” andissued on Apr. 19, 2005, U.S. Pat. No. 6,876,947 to Darley et al.,entitled “Monitoring Activity Of A User In Locomotion On Foot,” andissued on Apr. 5, 2005, U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,652 to Ohlenbusch et al.,entitled “Monitoring Activity Of A User In Locomotion On Foot,” andissued on Dec. 10, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,314 to Blackadar et al.,entitled “Detecting The Starting And Stopping Of Movement Of A Person OnFoot,” and issued on Oct. 2, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,654 to Gaudet etal., entitled “Measuring Foot Contact Time And Foot Loft Time Of APerson In Locomotion,” and issued on Apr. 18, 2000, U.S. Pat. No.6,018,705 to Gaudet et al., entitled “Measuring Foot Contact Time AndFoot Loft Time Of A Person In Locomotion,” and issued on Jan. 25, 2000,each of which are incorporated entirely herein by reference.

The athletic data set may also include a time value associated with eachspeed value and/or each distance value. If the athletic informationmonitoring device 201 can be employed to collect athletic informationfrom different users, then the athletic data computing unit 313 mayadditionally prompt the user to identify himself or herself in some way.This identification information may then be included with the athleticdata set generated from the information provided by the athleticinformation monitoring device 201. Once the computing unit 313 hasgenerated a set of athletic data from the information provided by theathletic information monitoring device 201, the computing unit 313 maystore the athletic data set in the memory 315. As will be discussed inmore detail below, when the digital music player 203 subsequently isconnected to a computing device implementing an athletic informationcollection tool, the computing unit 313 will download the athletic datato a display configuration tool hosted on a remote computing device.

While wireless communication between the between the athletic parametermeasurement device 207 and the interface device 205 is described for theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, any desired manner ofcommunicating between the athletic parameter measurement device 207 andthe interface device 205 may be used without departing from theinvention, including wired connections. Also, any desired way of placingdata derived from the physical or physiological data from the athleticparameter measurement device 207 in the proper form or format fordisplay on or output from electronic device 210 may be provided withoutdeparting from the invention. For example, if desired, the athleticparameter measurement device 207 may be specially designed and/orprogrammed for use with one or more specific electronic devices, e.g.,pre-programmed and/or wired to operate with a specific device or devicesand to provide output data in a form and format suitable for thosedevices. In this situation, the interface devices 205 may be marketedand sold to specifically target certain electronic devices, such asspecific models of digital music players and even other electronicdevices, such as telephones, watches, personal digital assistants, etc.As another alternative, if desired, the interface devices 205 may beprogrammed at a later time to operate with a wide variety of differentelectronic devices, e.g., by downloading display or device driver and/orformat data for specific electronic devices from the Internet, fromdisk, or from another source, etc.

If desired, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention,the electronic interface device 205 may further include a display 220and/or a user input system 222, such as one or more rotary inputdevices, switches, buttons (as shown in the illustrated example in FIG.2), mouse or trackball elements, touch screens, or the like, or somecombination thereof. The display 220 may be employed to show, forexample, information relating to music being played by the digital musicplayer 203, information relating to the athletic information signalsbeing received by the digital music player 203, athletic data beinggenerated by the digital music player 203 from the received athleticinformation signals, etc. The user input system 222 may be employed, forexample: to control one or more aspects of the processing of the inputdata received via interface device 205, to control input data receipt(e.g., timing, types of information received, on-demand data requests,etc.), to control data output to or by the electronic device 203, tocontrol the athletic parameter measurement device 207, etc.

Alternatively or additionally, if desired, the input system on thedigital music player 203 (e.g., buttons 222, a touch screen, adigitizer/stylus based input, a rotary input device, a trackball orroller ball, a mouse, etc.), may be used to provide user input data tothe interface device 205 and/or to the athletic parameter measurementdevice 207. As still another example, if desired, a voice input systemmay be provided with the interface device 205 and/or the digital musicplayer 203, e.g., to enable user input via voice commands. Any otherdesired type of user input system, for control of any system elementsand/or for any purpose, may be provided without departing from theinvention.

The digital music player 203 may include additional input and/or outputelements, e.g., such as ports 224 and 226 shown in FIG. 2, e.g., forheadphones (or other audio output), power supplies, wirelesscommunications, infrared input, microphone input, or other devices. Ifdesired, and if these ports 224 and/or 226 would be covered when theinterface device 205 is attached to the electronic device 203, theinterface device 205 may be equipped with similar external ports toports 224 and/or 226, and internal circuitry may be provided in theinterface device 205 to enable the user to plug the same additionaldevices into the interface device 205 as they might plug into thedigital music player 203 and still take advantage of the same functions(e.g., to thereby allow the necessary data, signals, power, and/orinformation to pass through the interface device 205 to the user, toanother output, and/or to the digital music player 203).

It should be appreciated that, while some specific embodiments of theinvention described above relate to a digital music player 203,alternate examples of the invention may be implemented using anyportable electronic device. For example, with some implementations ofthe invention, the athletic parameter measurement device 207 may be usedin conjunction with a mobile telephone, a watch, a personal digitalassistant, anther type of music player (such as a compact disc orsatellite radio music player), a portable computer, or any other desiredelectronic device. Still further, some implementations of the inventionmay alternately or additionally omit the use of the interface device205. For example, the athletic parameter measurement device 207 may beconfigured to communicate using the Bluetooth wireless communicationprotocol, so that it can be employed with Bluetooth-capable mobiletelephones, personal digital assistants, watches or personal computers.Of course, still other wireless or wired communication techniques couldbe employed while omitting the interface device 205.

It also should be appreciated that, while a specific example of anathletic parameter measurement device 207 has been described above forease of understanding, any type of desired athletic parametermeasurement device 207 can be employed with various embodiments of theinvention. For example, with some implementations of the invention, theathletic parameter measurement device 207 may be a heart rate monitor, ablood oxygen monitor, a satellite positioning device (e.g., a GlobalPositioning Satellite (GPS) navigation device), a device for measuringthe electrical activity of the user (e.g., an EKG monitor), or any otherdevice that measures one or more physical parameters of the user. Stillfurther, the athletic parameter measurement device 207 may measure oneor more operational parameters of some device being manipulated by theuser, such as the speed and/or distance of a bicycle, the speed and/orwork performed by a treadmill, rowing machine, elliptical machine,stationary bicycle, the speed and/or distance traveled by skis (water orsnow), skates (roller or ice), or snowshoes or the like worn by theuser, etc.

Also, while the athletic parameter measurement device 207 has beendescribed as being separate for the digital music player 203 or otherportable electronic device that receives the signals from the athleticparameter measurement device 207, with some implementations of theinvention the athletic parameter measurement device 207 may beincorporated into the digital music player 203 or other portableelectronic device. For example, some implementations of the inventionmay employ a music player, mobile telephone, watch or personal digitalassistant that incorporates accelerometers, a satellite positioningdevice, or any other desired device for measuring athletic activity.Still further, it should be appreciated that various implementations ofthe invention may employ a plurality of athletic parameter measurementdevices 207, incorporated into the digital music player 203 or otherportable electronic device, separate from the digital music player 203or other portable electronic device, or some combination thereof.

Athletic Collection and Display Tools

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an athletic information collection anddisplay device 501 that may be employed to collect and/or displayathletic data according to various implementations of the invention. Aswill be discussed in more detail below, the athletic informationcollection and display device 501 may both collect and display athleticdata. The athletic information collection and display device 501 may beimplemented using any suitable variation of the computing device 101previously described. In some situations, however, the informationcollection and display device 501 may be commercially implemented usinga desktop or laptop personal computer using, e.g., a version of theMicrosoft Windows operating system available from Microsoft Corporationof Redmond, Wash., a version of the Apple Macintosh operating systemavailable for Apple Corporation of Cupertino, Calif., or a version ofthe Unix or Linux operating systems available from a plurality ofvendors.

As shown FIG. 5, the athletic information collection and display device501 includes an interface 503 for receiving data from the athleticinformation monitoring device 201. The interface 503 may be implementedusing, e.g., electrical components, software components (such asapplication program interfaces (APIs)), or some combination thereof. Theathletic information collection and display device 501 also has anathletic data collection module 505. With various examples of theinvention, the athletic data collection module 505 may detect when thedigital music player 203 or other portable electronic device storing oneor more athletic data sets is connected to the athletic informationcollection and display device 501 through the interface 503, establish acommunication session with the digital music player 203 or otherportable electronic device to retrieve the athletic data set or sets. Insome implementations of the invention, the athletic data collectionmodule 505 may delete athletic data sets from the digital music player203 or other portable electronic device after the athletic data setshave been retrieved.

With some examples of the invention, the athletic data collection module505 may perform some further operations on the athletic data setsretrieved from the digital music player 203 or other portable electronicdevice. For example, if the athletic information monitoring device 201can be employed to collect athletic information from different users,then the athletic data collection module 505 may additionally prompt theuser to identify himself or herself (if this information was notpreviously obtained by the athletic information collection and displaydevice 501). This identification information may then be included withthe retrieved athletic data sets.

As previously noted, the athletic information collection and displaydevice 501 typically will generate sets of athletic data frominformation measured by one or more athletic parameter measurementdevices 207. With some embodiments of the invention, however, theathletic information collection and display device 501 may instead storethe raw information provided by the athletic parameter measurementdevices 207. With these embodiments, the athletic data collection module505 may retrieve the raw information from the digital music player 203or other portable electronic device, and then generate athletic datasets from the raw information itself. Of course, still other examples ofthe invention may divide functions relating to the generation ofathletic data from the raw information measured by athletic parametermeasurement devices 207 between the athletic data collection module 505and the digital music player 203 or other portable electronic device asdesired.

The athletic data collection module 505 may be implemented by, forexample, software instructions executed by a computing unit 113 of acomputing device 101. With some examples of the invention the athleticdata collection module 505 may be implemented by a conventional softwaretool, such as a browser. Alternately, athletic data collection module505 may be implemented by a purpose-specific software tool or by aconventional software tool enhanced to perform athletic data collectionfunctions. For example, the athletic data collection module 505 may beimplemented by a software tool that incorporates a conventional browserto perform a variety of functions. These functions may include, e.g.,selecting, purchasing, and downloading music and video content inaddition to collecting athletic data from a digital music player 203 orother portable electronic device.

Once the athletic data collection module 505 has collected the processedsignals provided by the athletic information monitoring device 201, theathletic data collection module 505 transmits the athletic data set toan athletic data display configuration device 601 through an interfacemodule 507. The athletic information collection and display device 501may communicate with the athletic data display configuration device 601through a conventional network, such as the Internet. With theseconfigurations, the interface module 507 may be implemented using anyconventional type of network interface, such as a network interfacecard. Of course, any type of desired hardware or software combinationalternately may be used to allow the athletic data collection module 505to send the collected athletic data to the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601. With some implementations of the invention,the athletic data collection module 505 may automatically forwardcollected athletic data to the athletic data display configurationdevice 601. For example, the athletic data collection module 505 mayattempt to forward collected athletic data to the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601 immediately after collection, at a prescheduledinterval, upon the detection of a network connection to the athleticdata display configuration device 601, or some combination thereof.Alternately or additionally, the athletic data collection module 505 mayprompt a user to specify when collected athletic data is sent to theathletic data display configuration device 601.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an athletic data display configurationdevice 601 that may be employed according to various examples of theinvention. As seen in this figure, the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601 includes an interface module 603 forcommunicating with the athletic information collection and displaydevice 501. As previously noted, the athletic information collection anddisplay device 501 may communicate with the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601 through a conventional network, such as theInternet. With these configurations, the interface module 603 may beimplemented using any conventional type of network interface, such as anetwork interface card. Of course, any type of desired hardware orsoftware combination alternately may be used to allow the athletic datadisplay configuration device 601 to communicate with the athleticinformation collection and display device 501.

The athletic data display configuration device 601 also includes anathletic data display configuration module 605, and an athletic datastorage 607. When the interface 603 of the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601 receives athletic data from the athleticinformation collection and display device 501, it provides the receivedathletic data to the athletic data display configuration module 605. Theathletic data display configuration module 603 may then store theathletic data in the athletic data storage 607 for future use. As willbe discussed in more detail below, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 also will retrieve athletic data from theathletic data storage 607, and configure the retrieved athletic data fordisplay through one or more user interfaces in a manner that ismeaningful to a user.

Returning now to FIG. 5, when a user wishes to view information relatingto his or her athletic activities (or the athletic activities ofanother, as will be discussed in more detail below), the user submitsthis request to the athletic information collection and display device501. More particularly, the user can employ conventional input andoutput devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, display and the like. Thedisplay request is then provided to an athletic data display module 509through a conventional interface input/output interface 511. As wellknown in the art, the interface input/output interface 511 may beimplemented using any desired combination of hardware and softwarecomponents, such as conventional application programming interfaces(APIs) used to detect and process input from input devices, and to senddata to and otherwise control output devices.

With some examples of the invention, the athletic data display module509 may be implemented using any conventional tool for receiving inputto request and control the display of data, and then subsequentlydisplaying the data in the manner requested. For example, the athleticdata display module 509 may be implemented using a conventional browserprogram, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Operaexecuting on a computing unit 113. With still other embodiments of theinvention, the athletic data display module 509 may be implemented usinga conventional browser program that has been enhanced by one or moredisplay tools, such as an ActiveX plug-in, a Java script or a version ofthe Macromedia Flash Player or Adobe Flash Player, available from AdobeSystems Incorporated of San Jose, Calif. In still other embodiments ofthe invention, the athletic data display module 509 may be implementedby, for example, a purpose-specific software tool for displayingathletic data.

As will be discussed in more detail below, when a user activates theathletic data display module 509, he or she is provided with a userinterface prompting the use to select what collected athletic data he orshe wishes to view, the format in which the user wishes to view thecollected athletic data, etc. This user interface may be generated bythe athletic data display module 509, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605, or some combination thereof. When a useremploys the provided user interface to submit a request to view athleticdata, the athletic data display module 509 relays the request to theathletic data display configuration module 605. In response, theathletic data display configuration module 605 configures the requestedathletic data for display by the athletic data display module 509. Forexample, as will be discussed in more detail below, a user may requestto view the total distance run by a user for each day in a one weekperiod. In response, the athletic data display configuration module 605will retrieve the relevant distance data from the athletic data storage607. It will then configure the retrieved distance data to be displayedthrough a desired image (e.g., a bar graph), and provide the configuredathletic data to the athletic data display module 509 for display to theuser.

It should be noted that, with some embodiments of the invention, thedata display configuration functions may be divided between the athleticdata display module 509 and the athletic data display configurationmodule 605. For example, if the athletic data display module 509 isimplemented by a simple browser, then the athletic data display module509 may serve as a “thin client” for the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605. That is, all of the data display configurationfunctions may be performed by the athletic data display configurationmodule 605. The athletic data display module 509 will then only displaythe information provided to it. Alternately, if the athletic datadisplay module 509 is implemented by a purpose-specific software tool,then most or all of the data display configuration functions may beperformed by the athletic data display module 509. With these examples,the athletic data display configuration module 605 may be used only tostore and retrieve athletic data from the athletic data storage 607.

Typically, the athletic data display configuration device 601 will beimplemented at a remote location from the athletic informationcollection and display device 501. The athletic information collectionand display device 501 then may be connected to the athletic datadisplay configuration device 601 through an electronic communicationnetwork, as previously noted. The electronic communication network maybe a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, or includesome combination of both. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a network 701including an athletic data display configuration device 601 and aplurality of client devices 705 for collecting and/or displayingathletic data. These client devices 705 may include personal computers705A using some version of the Microsoft Windows operating systemsavailable from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., personalcomputers 705B using some version of the Apple operating system,personal digital assistants 705C and telephones 705D. Of course, variousexamples of the invention may alternately or additionally include anyother desired electronic device that can be configured to collect and/ordisplay athletic data as discussed above.

It should be appreciated that a client device 705 may perform anathletic data collection function, an athletic data display function, orboth. That is, while the example of the athletic information collectionand display device 501 described above is capable of both collecting anddisplaying athletic data, some client devices 705 may only collectathletic data. Further, some client devices may only display athleticdata. For example, a user may employ a GPS-equipped smart telephone tocollect athletic data and transmit the collected athletic data to theathletic data display configuration device 601. The user may then employa personal computer equipped with only a conventional browser tosubsequently download and display the collected athletic data.

Display of a User's Athletic Information

Display of Athletic Activity Values

In response to receiving a request to review athletic information from auser via the athletic data display module 509, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will determine the user's identity. Theathletic data display configuration module 605 will then retrieve theathletic data associated with the user from the athletic data storage607. Next, the athletic data display configuration module 605 willprepare a user interface for displaying the requested athletic data, andtransmit the user interface with the athletic data to the athletic datadisplay module 509 for display to the user.

FIG. 8A illustrates an example of an initial user interface that may beprovided to a user according to various implementations of theinvention. As seen in this figure, the user interface 801 includes aplurality of icons 803. Each icon 803 represents an athletic data valuecorresponding to an athletic activity performed by the user over aspecified time period. More particularly, each icon 803 represents adistance value corresponding to athletic activity performed by a user. Acalendar date field 805 associated with each icon 803 is shown at thebottom of each icon 803 to indicate the date on which the correspondingathletic activity was performed, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The userinterface 801 also displays a number of control buttons 807-819 thatallow the user to select what athletic data values will be displayed inthe user interface as well as the time periods for which the athleticdata values will be displayed. In addition, the interface 801 includestabs 821-825, which will be discussed in more detail below.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the user has activated the “Distance” button 809and the “Run” button 813. In response, the display 801 initially showsan icon 803 for the each of the most recent, e.g., twelve sets ofathletic data collected by the server that corresponds to the user. Aspreviously noted, each data set includes athletic data values generatedfrom athletic information measured during a single, discrete athleticactivity performed by a person over a particular time period. Further,the height of each icon 803 will correspond to the total distance valueincluded in the set of athletic data represented by the icon 803. Forexample, on October 22, the user traveled a total distance of 4.05 milesduring a run, whereas the user traveled a total distance of only 1.59miles during a first run on December 23. Accordingly, the icon 803Acorresponding to the athletic activity on October 22 will beproportionally larger than the icon 803B representing the athletic datacollected for the user's first run on December 23, as shown in thisfigure. If the user wishes to view icons 803 for athletic activitiesperformed before or after the athletic activities corresponding to thedisplayed icons 803, the user can view those additional icons 803 byactivating the desired arrow buttons 807.

If a user subsequently selects the “Time” button 811, the athletic datadisplay configuration module 605 will reconfigure the user interface 801to display new icons 827 so that each icon 827 represents a total timevalue for each of the data sets. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, theheight of each icon 827 will correspond to the total time value in eachrepresented data set. For example, if the length of the user's run onOctober 22 was 54 minutes, 2 seconds, whereas the duration of the user'sfirst run on December 23 was only 18 minutes, 11 seconds, then the icon827A corresponding to the athletic data set for October 22 will beproportionally taller than the icon 827B representing the athletic dataset collected for the user's run on December 23.

In addition to displaying only distance and time information, the userinterface 801 may optionally display additional information. Forexample, with some implementations of the invention, a user may employ apointing device to select a specific icon 803 or 827. In response to theselection by, e.g. positioning a cursor over the icon, the userinterface 801 may display additional information from the athletic dataset represented by the selected icon. For example, the user interface801 may use, e.g., a pop-up display (not shown) to display data valuesfor the total distance, time, speed, and calories burned for theathletic activity represented by the selected icon 803 or 827. Stillfurther, the user interface may use, e.g., color information todistinguish between the most-recently collected sets of athletic dataand athletic data sets that were collected at an earlier time. Thus, theicons 803 or 827 representing data sets collected during the most recentdownload from an athletic information monitoring device 201 may beillustrated using, e.g., a light green color, while icons 803 or 827representing previously-collected athletic data sets may be displayedwith a dark green color.

With some implementations of the invention, a user may obtain still moredetailed information regarding an athletic data set by “activating” theicon 803 or 827 representing the athletic data set. For example, a usermay position a cursor over a desired icon 803 or 827 using a pointingdevice, and then depress a selection button to activate the icon 803 or827. In response, the athletic data display configuration module 605will configure and provide a user interface graphically illustrating thedata values in the corresponding athletic data set in more detail. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, various implementations of theinventions may display a user interface 901 plotting a first type ofdata in the data set against a second type of data in the data set toprovide a visual graph 903. More particularly, as illustrated in thisfigure, the athletic data display configuration module 605 will plotspeed values in the athletic data set against distance values data inthe athletic data set, providing the graph 903. In this manner, a usercan view what his or her instantaneous speed was at various pointsduring the run. In addition, the graph 903 may include other relevantinformation such as, for example, an icon showing the type of athleticactivity (e.g., running) and an indication on of the total distancetraveled.

With some implementations of the invention, the graph 903 also mayinclude specific distance waypoints 905, which will show the particularspeed value measured at the distance during the athletic activityrepresented by the position of the waypoint 905. For example, if theuser employs a pointing device to move a cursor over waypoint 905A, theuser interface 901 will display a pop-up window (not shown) indicatingthat the user had an average speed of 12 minutes, 12 seconds at thefirst mile. Similarly, if the user employs a pointing device to move acursor over the waypoint 905B, the user interface 901 will display apop-up window (not shown) indicating that the user had an average speedof 12 minutes, 17 seconds at the second mile. If the user then employs apointing device to move a cursor over the waypoint 905C, the userinterface 901 will display a pop-up window (not shown) indicating thatthe user had an average speed of 12 minutes, 3 seconds at the thirdmile.

The user interface 901 also may include a value field 907 indicating thetotal distance value, total time value, total average pace value, totalcalories burned value, and athletic activity type value corresponding tothe represented athletic activity. It also may include an “Options”button 909. If the user activates the “Options” button 909, theinterface 901 may display additional command buttons (not shown) thatallow the user to name the selected athletic data set or delete theathletic data set. Still further, the interface may include a“Comparison” button 911.

If the user selects the “Comparison” button 911, the athletic datadisplay configuration module 605 will determine a time or distanceclassification for the selected athletic activity. For example, if thetotal distance value collected for the selected athletic activity isapproximately 6 kilometers, then the athletic data display configurationmodule 605 will classify the athletic data set corresponding to theselected athletic activity as a “6 kilometer” athletic data set.Similarly, if the total distance value collected for the selectedathletic activity is proximal to another specified distance category(e.g., 1 mile, 10 kilometers, 15 kilometers, 10 miles, 26 miles, etc.),then the athletic data display configuration module 605 will classifythe athletic data set based upon the relevant category.

After the athletic data display configuration module 605 has classifiedthe athletic data set, it examines the other athletic data sets in thatclassification to determine which athletic data set has the highesttotal distance value (or, if the classification is based upon time orspeed, the lowest total time value or the highest average speed value).Once the athletic data display configuration module 605 identifies the“best” set of athletic data for the determined classification, it willthen reconfigure the user interface 901 to include a graph of this“best” athletic data set as shown in FIG. 9B. As seen in this figure,the graph 915 may have the same characteristics and features as thegraph 905 representing the selected athletic activity session.

If the user selects the “See My Runs” button 913, the athletic datadisplay configuration module 605 will configure and provide theinterface 801 for display, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Returning now tothose figures, if the user selects the “Week” button 815 or the “Month”button 817, the athletic data display configuration module 605 willmodify the user interface 801 to display one or more icons representingan aggregation of multiple sets of athletic data. More particularly, theathletic data display configuration module 605 will aggregate datavalues from each athletic data set based upon the designated timeperiod.

For example, if the user has selected the “Distance” button 809 inaddition to the “Week” button 815, then the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will add up the total distance data values foreach set of athletic data corresponding to an athletic activity sessionoccurring within a particular calendar week. The athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will then modify the user interface 801 toinclude icons 829, where each icon 829 graphically represents the sum oftotal distance values in the athletic data sets generated during aparticular week. The athletic data display configuration module 605 mayalso modify the user interface 801 to include a calendar week field 831specifying the calendar week to which each icon 829 is associated. Asshown in FIG. 8C, the height of each icon represents the sum of thetotal distance values for each athletic data set for the specified weekperiod. For example, the user may have run a total of 4.05 miles duringthe weekly period from October 22 to October 28. On the other hand, theuser may have run a total distance of 20.25 miles during the week periodof December 3 to December 9. Accordingly, the icon 829B representing theaggregated athletic data for the week of December 3 to December 9 willbe proportionally larger than the icon 829A representing the athleticdata aggregated from the athletic data sets obtained for the week ofOctober 22 to October 28.

Similarly, if the user selects the “Time” button 811, the athletic datadisplay configuration module 605 will modify the user interface 801 todisplay icons 833 that represent the sum of total time values foraggregated sets of athletic data. More particularly, as shown in FIG.8D, a height of each icon 833 will represent the sum of the total timevalues for each athletic data set obtained during the correspondingweekly period. For example, if a user ran for a total time of 54 minutes2 seconds during the week from October 22 to October 28, but ran for atotal time of 4 hours 7 minutes and 24 seconds during the week ofDecember 3 to December 9, then the icon 833B representing theaggregation of athletic data for the week of December 3 to December 9will be proportionally larger than the icon 833A representing theaggregation of athletic data for the weekly period of October 22 toOctober 28.

Similarly, if the user selects the “Month” button 817, the athletic datadisplay configuration module 605 will modify the user interface 801 todisplay icons representing the aggregations of data values from athleticdata sets obtained over each monthly time period. For example, if theuser has selected the “Distance” button 809 as well, the user interface801 may display an icon 835 representing the aggregation of totaldistance values from data sets obtained for athletic activity sessionsperformed during each calendar month, as illustrated in FIG. 8E. Theuser interface 801 also may include a calendar month field 837specifying the calendar month to which each icon 835 is associated. Asshown in this figure, the user interface 801 thus includes an icon 835Arepresenting the aggregation of total distance values from data setsobtained for athletic activity sessions performed during the month ofAugust, and another icon 835B representing the aggregation of totaldistance values from data sets obtained for athletic activity sessionsperformed during the month of January. The height of the icon 835Arepresents the sum of the total distance values for each athletic dataset obtained for athletic activity sessions performed in August (i.e.,18.84 miles), while the height of the icon 835B correspond to the sum ofeach of the total distance data values for each athletic data setobtained for athletic activity sessions performed in January (i.e.,58.84 miles).

If, on the other hand, the user has selected the “Time” button 811, theuser interface 801 may display an icon 839 representing the aggregationof total time values from data sets obtained for athletic activitysessions performed during each calendar month, as illustrated in FIG.8F. As shown in this figure, the user interface 801 thus includes anicon 839A representing the aggregation of total distance values fromdata sets obtained for athletic activity sessions performed during themonth of August, and another icon 839B representing the aggregation oftotal time values from data sets obtained for athletic activity sessionsperformed during the month of January. The height of the icon 839Arepresents the sum of the total time values for each athletic data setobtained for athletic activity sessions performed in August (i.e., 4hours, 6 minutes, 1 second), while the height of the icon 839Bcorrespond to the sum of each of the total time data values for eachathletic data set obtained for athletic activity sessions performed inJanuary (i.e., 10 hours, 47 minutes, 27 seconds).

In addition to displaying only distance and time information, the userinterface 801 may optionally display additional information aggregatedfrom multiple sets of athletic data. For example, with someimplementations of the invention, a user may employ a pointing device toselect a specific icon 829, 833, 835 or 839. In response to theselection by, e.g. positioning a cursor over the icon, the userinterface 801 may display additional information from the aggregation ofathletic data sets represented by the selected icon. For example, theuser interface 801 may provide, e.g., a pop-up display (not shown) todisplay sum of total distance data values corresponding to theaggregation of athletic activity information represented by the selectedicon, the some of the total time data values corresponding to theaggregation of athletic activity information represented by the selectedicon, the average of the average speed data values corresponding to theaggregation of athletic activity information represented by the selectedicon speed, and the sum of the calories burned data values data valuescorresponding to the aggregation of athletic activity informationrepresented by the selected icon.

It should be noted that the athletic data display configuration module605 (or, with some implementations of the invention, the athletic datadisplay module 509) may aggregate data from multiple athletic data setsin advance of receiving a request to display aggregated athletic datafrom a user. Alternately, the athletic data display configuration module605 (or, with some implementations of the invention, the athletic datadisplay module 509) may aggregate data from multiple athletic data setsonly in response to a specific request from a user to view theaggregated data.

Display of Goals

In addition to displaying specific athletic data values or aggregates ofathletic data values, various embodiments of the invention mayalternately or additionally permit a user to set a goal relating to hisor her athletic activities, and then view one or more images graphicallyillustrating the user's progress toward accomplishing those goals. Forexample, with the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8A-9B, a user canselect the “Goals” tab 823 shown in these figures. In response, theathletic data display configuration module 605 may configure and providethe user interface 1001 illustrated in FIG. 10. As seen in this figure,the user interface 1001 includes a “Set A Goal” button 1003 promptingthe user to select a desired goal relating to his or her athleticactivities.

When the user activates the “Set A Goal” button 1003, the athletic datadisplay configuration module 605 will configure and provide the userinterface 1101 shown in FIG. 11. As seen in this figure, the userinterface 1101 includes a “More Often” button 1103, a “Distance” button1105, a “Burn More Calories” button 1107, a “Faster” button 1109, and a“Back” button 1111. As known in the art, activating the “Back” button1111 will cause the athletic data display configuration module 605 (or,with some examples of the invention, the athletic data display module509) to configure and display the previously displayed configuration ofthe user interface 1101, or if the currently displayed configuration ofthe user interface 1101 is its initial configuration, a previously shownuser interface.

If a user wishes to perform the athletic activity more often, then theuser activates the “More Often” button 1103. In response, the athleticdata display configuration module 605 reconfigures the user interface1101 to include a sub-interface 1113. As seen in FIG. 11B, thesub-interface 1113 includes a “Number Of Runs” control 1115, a “NumberOf Weeks” control 1117, and a “Set Goal” button 1119. By employing the“Number Of Runs” control 1115, a user can specify the number of runs (orthe number of times to perform some other athletic activity, ifappropriate) he or she wishes to make within a desired time period.Similarly, by employing the “Number Of Weeks” control 1117, a user canspecify the number of weeks making up the desired time period allowed toreach the desired goal. In the illustrated example, the “Number Of Runs”control 1115 is a field control (i.e., having a field in which a valuecan be typed in) while the “Number Of Weeks” control 1117 is a radiocontrol, but various examples of the invention may employ alternatetypes of controls as desired. Once a user has specified the number ofruns that must be made and specified the time period in which they mustbe made to meet a desired goal, the user can finalize the goalparameters by activating the “Set Goal” button 1119.

Similarly, if a user wishes to run a longer distance in a given timeperiod, then the user activates the “Distance” button 1105. In response,the athletic data display configuration module 605 reconfigures the userinterface 1101 to include a sub-interface 1121. As seen in FIG. 11C, thesub-interface 1121 includes a “Total Distance” control 1123, a “NumberOf Weeks” control 1125, and a “Set Goal” button 1127. By employing the“Total Distance” control 1123, a user can specify the total distance heor she wishes to run within a desired time period. Similarly, byemploying the “Number Of Weeks” control 1125, a user can specify thenumber of weeks making up the desired time period allowed to reach thedesired goal. In the illustrated example, the “Total Distance” control1123 is a combination control, with both a field control (i.e., a fieldin which a value can be typed) and a drop down menu control (i.e., toallow the user to select the units in which the distance would bemeasure). The “Number Of Weeks” control 1125 illustrated in FIG. 11Cthen is a radio control. Various examples of the invention, however, mayemploy alternate types of controls as desired. Once a user has specifiedthe number of runs that must be made and specified the time period inwhich they must be made to meet a desired goal, the user can finalizethe goal parameters by activating the “Set Goal” button 1127.

If a user wishes to burn more calories during a particular time period,then the user activates the “Burn More Calories” button 1107. Inresponse, the athletic data display configuration module 605reconfigures the user interface 1101 to include a sub-interface 1129. Asseen in FIG. 11D, the sub-interface 1129 includes a “Number Of Calories”control 1131, a “Number Of Weeks” control 1133, and a “Set Goal” button1135. By employing the “Number Of Calories” control 1131, a user canspecify the number of calories he or she wishes to burn within a desiredtime period. Similarly, by employing the “Number Of Weeks” control 1133,a user can specify the number of weeks making up the desired time periodallowed to burn the desired number of calories. In the illustratedexample, the “Number Of Calories” control 1131 is a field control (i.e.,having a field in which a value can be typed in) while the “Number OfWeeks” control 1133 is a radio control, but various examples of theinvention may employ alternate types of controls as desired. Once a userhas specified the number of runs that must be made and specified thetime period in which they must be made to meet a desired goal, the usercan finalize the goal parameters by activating the “Set Goal” button1135.

Lastly, if a user wishes to run faster for a desired number of runs,then the user activates the “Faster” button 1109. In response, theathletic data display configuration module 605 reconfigures the userinterface 1101 to include a sub-interface 1137. As seen in FIG. 11E, thesub-interface 1137 includes an “Average Pace” control 1139, a “Number OfRuns” control 1141, and a “Set Goal” button 1143. By employing the“Average Pace” control 1139, a user can specify the minimum pace atwhich he or she wishes to travel for the desired number of runs.Similarly, by employing the “Number Of Runs” control 1141, a user canspecify the number of runs for which the user wishes to run faster inorder to reach the desired goal. In the illustrated example, the“Average Pace” control 1139 is a field control (i.e., having fields inwhich values can be typed) while the “Number Of Runs” control 1141 is aradio control, but various examples of the invention may employalternate types of controls as desired. Once a user has specified theaverage pace and the number of runs for which he or she must run at orfaster than the specified average pace to meet a desired goal, the usercan finalize the goal parameters by activating the “Set Goal” button1143.

After the user has specified a desired goal, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will monitor the athletic data collected by theathletic data collection module 505. When the user subsequently wishesto view his or her progress toward accomplishing the specified goals(by, e.g., selecting the “Goals” tab), then the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will aggregate the relevant data from thecollected athletic data set and configure a user interface graphicallydisplaying the user's progress toward the specified goals. For example,with some implementations of the invention, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 may configure a user interface displaying bargraph, such as the bar graph 1201 shown in FIG. 12. A portion of the bargraph corresponding to the user's progress is marked with fill 1203.Thus, in the illustrated example, the fill 1203 in the bar graph 1203indicates that the user has accomplished more than 50% of the athleticactivity required to complete his or her goal. Some implementations maysimultaneously display a bar graph or other progress indicator for eachgoal set by the user. Still other implementations of the invention mayprovide controls to allow a user to select a single bar graph or otherprogress indicator for display in the user interface.

Display of Other User's Athletic Data

Challenges

Various examples of the invention may allow a user to “challenge” one ormore other users (i.e., athletes employing embodiments of the invention)to a competition regarding athletic activities. With someimplementations of the invention, for example, a user may issue achallenge to one or more other athletes by requesting the user interface1301 shown in FIG. 13A. As seen in this figure, the interface 1301includes a “Distance Race” button 1303, a “Most Miles” button 1305, a“Fastest Run” button 1307, a “Distance Goal” button 1309, and a “Back”button 1311. As known in the art, activating the “Back” button 1311 willcause the athletic data display configuration module 605 (or, with someexamples of the invention, the athletic data display module 509) toconfigure and display the previously displayed configuration of the userinterface 1301, or if the currently displayed configuration of the userinterface 1301 is its initial configuration, a previously-shown userinterface.

If a user wishes to establish a challenge regarding who can run aspecified distance first, then the user activates the “Distance Race”button 1303. In response, the athletic data display configuration module605 reconfigures the user interface 1301 to include a sub-interface1313. As seen in FIG. 13B, the sub-interface 1313 includes a “TotalDistance” control 1315, a “Challenge Name” control 1317, a “Start Date”control 1319, and a “Next Step” button 1321. By employing the “TotalDistance” control 1315, a user can specify the total distance that achallenge participant must be the first to run in order to win thechallenge. Next, the user can provide a specific name for the challengeusing the “Challenge Name” control 1317. Naming each challenge allows anathlete to identify and keep track of a plurality of differentchallenges in which he or she may be concurrently participating. Theuser can then specify the starting date for the challenge using the“Start Date” control 1319. In the illustrated example, the “TotalDistance” control 1315 and the “Challenge Name” control 1317 are eachfield controls (i.e., controls having a field in which a value can betyped), while the “Start Date” control 1319 is made up of a number ofdrop-down menus. It should be appreciated, however, that variousexamples of the invention may employ alternate types of controls asdesired. Once a user has specified the parameters of the challenge, theuser can begin the process of inviting specific athletes to participatein the challenge by activating the “Next Step” button 1321.

When the user activates the “Next Step” button 1321, the athletic datadisplay configuration module 605 reconfigures the user interface 1301 toinclude a sub-interface 1323 in place of the “Distance Race” button1303, as shown in FIG. 13C. As seen in this figure, the sub-interface1323 includes a “Personal Message” control 1325, an “Email Address”control 1327, and a “Set Challenge” button 1329. The user can employ the“Personal Message” control 1325 to create a personal message to eachathlete the user wishes to invite to participate in the challenge. Usingthe “Email Address” control 1327, the user can then specify the emailaddress for each person he or she wishes to invite to participate in thechallenge. In the illustrated example, the “Personal Message” control1325 and the “Challenge Name” control 1317 are each field controls(i.e., controls having a field in which a value can be typed), butvarious examples of the invention may employ alternate types of controlsas desired.

Once the user has provided the email address for each desiredparticipant, the user can initiate the challenge by activating the “SetChallenge” button 1329. In response to the user activating the “SetChallenge” button 1329, the athletic data display configuration device601 (or, with some implementations of the invention, the user's athleticinformation collection and display device 501) sends an email to each ofthe specified invitees. The email will contain the personal message and,e.g., an interactive prompt to join the challenge. If an invitee agreesto join the challenge by responding to the prompt, then the athleticdata display configuration device 601 will be notified that the inviteehas agreed to join the challenge. These types of email interactiveprompts (such as the “voting” buttons provided in versions of theOutlook software tool available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,Wash.) are well known in the art, and will not be discussed here indetail.

After the athletic data display configuration device 601 has identifiedthe participants in a challenge, it monitors the collected athletic datafor each of the participants, and aggregates the relevant data values inthe collected athletic data. For example, if the challenge is a race todetermine who can be the first to run 100 miles, for each participantthe athletic data display configuration device 601 will sum the totaldistance value in each athletic data set collected for that participantafter the start date. When a participant has a sum of his or her totaldistance values that matches or exceeds the specified challenge distance(and is the first invitee to do so), then the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601 will identify that participant as the winner ofthe challenge. In response, the athletic data display configurationdevice 601 will notify each participant of the winner. The athletic datadisplay configuration device 601 may notify the participants using anydesired technique, such as by sending an electronic mail message, bydisplaying a special-purpose interface when each participant connects tothe athletic data display configuration device 601, etc. A variety ofsuch notification techniques are well known in the art, and thus willnot be discussed in detail.

With various examples of the invention, the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601 may additionally provide updates regarding thestatus of a participant relative to the other participants. Theseupdates also can be provided using any desired technique, such as bysending an electronic mail message, by displaying a special-purposeinterface when each participant connects to the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601, etc. For example, the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601 may configure and provide a user interfaceshowing each participant's progress toward the goal of the challengeusing, e.g., bar graphs for each participant of the type previouslydescribed with regard to monitoring individual goals.

Returning now to FIG. 13A, if a user wishes to establish a challengeregarding who can run the most miles in a given period of time, then theuser activates the “Most Miles” button 1305. In response, the athleticdata display configuration module 605 reconfigures the user interface1301 to include a sub-interface 1331, as seen in FIG. 13D. Thesub-interface 1331 includes a “Challenge Duration” control 1333, a“Challenge Name” control 1335, a “Start Date” control 1337, and a “NextStep” button 1339. By employing the “Challenge Duration” control 1333, auser can specify the total amount of time for which a challengeparticipant has to run the greatest total distance in order to win thechallenge. Next, the user can provide a specific name for the challengeusing the “Challenge Name” control 1335. The user can then specify thestarting date for the challenge using the “Start Date” control 1337. Inthe illustrated example, the “Challenge Duration” control 1333 and the“Challenge Name” control 1335 are each field controls (i.e., controlshaving a field in which a value can be typed), while the “Start Date”control 1337 is made up of a number of drop-down menus. It should beappreciated, however, that various examples of the invention may employalternate types of controls as desired.

Once a user has specified the parameters of the challenge, the user canbegin the process of inviting specific athletes to participate in thechallenge by activating the “Next Step” button 1339. In response, theathletic data display configuration module 605 reconfigures the userinterface 1301 to include the sub-interface 1323 in place of the “MostMiles” button 1305. (An example of sub-interface 1323 is illustrated inFIG. 13C.) As discussed in detail above, the user can employ thesub-interface 1323 to invite others to participate in the challenge, andensure that the athletic data display configuration device 601 isinformed of the participants in the challenge. As also previouslydiscussed, the athletic data display configuration device 601 willmonitor the collected athletic data for each participant, and aggregatethe relevant data values from the collected athletic data to determinewho wins the challenge. Still further, the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601 can notify the participants of the winner ofthe challenge, and, with various examples of the invention, of thestatus of each participant during the challenge as described above.

If a user wishes to establish a challenge regarding who can make thefastest run in a given period of time, then the user activates the“Fastest Run” button 1307. In response, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 reconfigures the user interface 1301 to includea sub-interface 1341 as seen in FIG. 13E. The sub-interface 1341includes a “Total Distance” control 1343, a “Challenge Name” control1345, a “Start Date” control 1347, and a “Next Step” button 1349. Byemploying the “Total Distance” control 1343, a user can specify thetotal distance a user must run in order to have his or her run timeeligible to win the challenge. Next, the user can provide a specificname for the challenge using the “Challenge Name” control 1345. The usercan then specify the starting date for the challenge using the “StartDate” control 1347. In the illustrated example, the “Total Distance”control 1343 and the “Challenge Name” control 1345 are each fieldcontrols (i.e., controls having a field in which a value can be typed),while the “Start Date” control 1347 is made up of a number of drop-downmenus, but various examples of the invention may employ alternate typesof controls as desired.

Once a user has specified the parameters of the challenge, the user canbegin the process of inviting specific athletes to participate in thechallenge by activating the “Next Step” button 1349. In response, theathletic data display configuration module 605 reconfigures the userinterface 1301 to include a sub-interface 1323 in place of the “FastestRun” button 1307. (An example of sub-interface 1323 is illustrated inFIG. 13C.) As discussed in detail above, the user can employ thesub-interface 1323 to invite others to participate in the challenge, andensure that the athletic data display configuration device 601 isinformed of the participants in the challenge. As also previouslydiscussed, the athletic data display configuration device 601 willmonitor the collected athletic data for each participant, and aggregatethe relevant data values from the collected athletic data to determinewho wins the challenge. Still further, the athletic data displayconfiguration device 601 can notify the participants of the winner ofthe challenge, and, with various examples of the invention, of thestatus of each participant during the challenge as described above.

Lastly, if a user wishes to establish a challenge regarding who can runa specified distance in a given period of time, then the user activatesthe “Distance Goal” button 1309. In response, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 reconfigures the user interface 1301 to includea sub-interface 1351. As seen in FIG. 13F, the sub-interface 1351includes a “Total Distance” control 1353, a “Challenge Name” control1355, a “Start Date” control 1357, and a “Next Step” button 1359. Byemploying the “Total Distance” control 1353, a user can specify thetotal distance a user must run over the specified time period in orderto meet the challenge. Next, the user can provide a specific name forthe challenge using the “Challenge Name” control 1355. The user can thenspecify the starting date for the challenge using the “Start Date”control 1357. In the illustrated example, the “Total Distance” control1353 and the “Challenge Name” control 1355 are each field controls(i.e., controls having a field in which a value can be typed), while the“Start Date” control 1357 is made up of a number of drop-down menus, butvarious examples of the invention may employ alternate types of controlsas desired.

Once a user has specified the parameters of the challenge, the user canbegin the process of inviting specific athletes to participate in thechallenge by activating the “Next Step” button 1359. In response, theathletic data display configuration module 605 reconfigures the userinterface 1301 to include the sub-interface 1323 in place of the“Distance Goal” button 1309. (An example of sub-interface 1323 isillustrated in FIG. 13C.) As discussed in detail above, the user canemploy the sub-interface 1323 to invite others to participate in thechallenge, and ensure that the athletic data display configurationdevice 601 is informed of the participants in the challenge. As alsopreviously discussed, the athletic data display configuration device 601will monitor the collected athletic data for each participant, andaggregate the relevant data values from the collected athletic data todetermine who wins the challenge. Still further, the athletic datadisplay configuration device 601 can notify the participants of thewinner of the challenge, and, with various examples of the invention, ofthe status of each participant during the challenge as described above.

Lists

As well as interactive comparisons of a user's athletic data with otherusers, such as the goals and challenges described in detail above, someimplementations of the invention may alternately or additionally allow auser to passively compare his or her athletic data with other users. Forexample, some implementations of the invention may provide a ranking ofwhere a user stands with respect to other users. The ranking may bebased upon a simple comparison, or it may be limited to a specificdemographic group, a particular geographic region, or some combinationtherefore.

For example, with some implementations of the invention, a user mayrequest that the athletic data display configuration module 605 generateand display the user interface 1401 illustrated in FIG. 14A. As seen inthis figure, the user interface 1401 includes a comparison criteriaregion 1403, a filter region 1405, and display region 1407. Thecomparison criteria region 1403 includes a plurality of “radio” stylecontrols 1409, while the filter region 1405 includes a plurality of“drop-down” controls 1411-1413. The display region 1407 then displaysuser information based upon athletic data selected using the comparisonand filter information selected using the controls 1409-1413.

More particularly, a user employs the “radio” style controls 1409 tospecify the basic criteria according to which the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will compare athletic data for a plurality ofusers. These controls 1409 are referred to herein as “radio” stylecontrols because the selection of one of the controls (e.g., control1409C) will automatically deselect a previously selected control, andonly one control may be selected at any given time. Of course, it shouldbe appreciated that other type of selection tools, including other typesof controls, may be alternately or additionally employed with otherimplementations of the invention. Each control 1409 is associated withboth a sorting criterion for sorting measured athletic data and a timecriterion specifying a time period during which the athletic data beingcompared must have been measured. For example, each of controls1409A-1409C is associated with total distance as a sorting criterion,while control 1409A is associated with a week time period, control 1409Bis associated with a month time period, and control 1409C is associatedwith an unlimited time period. Control 1409D is then associated with aduration sorting criterion and a week time period.

With the example of the interface 1401 shown in FIG. 14A, each of thefilter controls 1411-1415 are selected to “ALL,” as will be discussed inmore detail below. Further, the control 1409A is selected. Because thecontrol 1409A is associated with the “distance” sorting criterion andthe “week” time criterion, the athletic data display configurationmodule 605 will sort the aggregated distance data for participatingusers that was measured during the preceding week. It then lists thenames of the participating users having the ten highest aggregateddistance data values in the filter region 1405. In addition, theathletic data display configuration module 605 will display in theaggregated distance data values measured during the preceding week foreach of the identified participating users. Still further, the athleticdata display configuration module 605 will display the user'scorresponding aggregated distance measured for the preceding week. Withsome implementations of the invention, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 also may display the ranking of the user'scorresponding aggregated distance information measured for the precedingweek relative to those participating users having a greater aggregateddistance measured for the preceding week. Thus, in the illustratedexample, the user “Rauchholz” has a ranking of 2932 relative to otherparticipating users.

With some implementations of the invention, the participating users willbe any user who provides athletic data to the athletic data storage 607(or to an affiliated athletic data storage). For still otherimplementations of the invention, however, the participating users maybe a subset of the all of the users who provide athletic data to theathletic data storage 607 or to an affiliated athletic data storage. Forexample, the participating users may be only those users who agree inadvance to have their data shared with other users, or those users whodo not specifically indicate that they wish for their athletic data tobe private. Of course, still other criteria may be used to determinewhich users will be treated as participating users.

FIG. 14B illustrates another example of the interface 1401. Again, eachof the filter controls 1411-1415 are selected to “ALL.” Further, thecontrol 1409E is selected, which is associated with the “duration”sorting criterion and the “month” time criterion. Accordingly, theathletic data display configuration module 605 will sort the aggregatedrunning (or walking) duration data for participating users that wasmeasured during the preceding month. It then lists the names of theparticipating users having the ten highest aggregated duration datavalues in the filter region 1405. In addition, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will display in the aggregated duration datavalues measured during the preceding month for each of the identifiedparticipating users. Still further, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will display the user's correspondingaggregated duration data measured for the preceding month. Again, theathletic data display configuration module 605 also displays the rankingof the user's corresponding aggregated duration data measured for thepreceding month relative to those participating users having a greateraggregated duration value measured for the preceding month. Thus, in theillustrated example, the user “Rauchholz” has a ranking of 28636relative to other participating users.

FIG. 14C illustrates yet another example of the interface 1401. Again,each of the filter controls 1411-1415 are selected to “ALL.” Further,the control 14091 is selected, which is associated with the “fastest 5k” sorting criterion and the “ever” time criterion. Accordingly, theathletic data display configuration module 605 will identify and displaythe participating users with the ten fastest travel times for a 5 k runthat was measured at any time preceding the user's selection of thecontrol 14091. In addition, the athletic data display configurationmodule 605 will display in the fastest 5 k time value for each of theidentified participating users. Still further, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will display the user's fastest measured timefor a 5 k run, together with a ranking of that time relative to thoseparticipating users having a faster measured time for a 5 k run. Thus,in the illustrated example, the user “Rauchholz” has a ranking of 40822relative to other participating users.

In some situations, a user may wish to limit the pool of participatingusers to whom the user will be compared. As previously noted, the filterregion 1405 includes filter controls 1411-1415. These filter controlsmay be employed to limit the participating users that will be consideredfor a desired comparison. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14D, auser can employ the filter control 1411 to select between including allparticipating users for comparison, only male participating users forcomparison, or only female participating users for comparison.Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14E, a user can employ filter control 1413to limit the comparison to only those participating users within adesired age group. Still further, as shown in FIG. 14F, a user canemploy the filter control 1415 to limit the comparison to participatingusers within a geographic region.

It should be appreciated that, with some implementations of theinvention, a user can employ each of the filters 1411-1415simultaneously. For example, a user may employ the filter controls1411-1415 to limit the participating users considered for comparisonwith the user's athletic data to only men between the ages of 40-44residing in the United States. The information required to filter theparticipating users may be obtained from any available source.Conveniently, however, the information may be obtained by requesting theusers to submit this information for a user profile during an initialregistration process. Of course, while three specific filtering criteriahave been disclosed, it should be appreciated that any desired typeand/or combination of characteristics be employed as filters.

Other Features

Record of Achievements

As discussed in detail above, various implementations of the inventionmay provide positive reinforcement to an athlete. For example, asdiscussed above, a user can employ various embodiments of the inventionto set goals for himself or herself, and then track his or her progresstoward attaining those goals. Similarly, a user may employ variousembodiments of the invention to participate in a challenge. Once thegoal is completed or the challenge is won, however, these achievementsmay be forgotten and thus not provide the user with any further positivereinforcement.

Accordingly, some implementations of the invention may provide a featurefor memorializing a user's various athletic achievements. For example,with some embodiments of the invention, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 may provide a user interface, such as the userinterface 1501 shown in FIG. 15, for displaying athletic achievementsrecorded for a user. As seen in this figure, the user interface 1501includes a “goal” region 1503, a “challenges” region 1505, an “events”region 1507, and a “milestones” region 1509. Each of these regions canbe used to display an icon representing a user's previous achievement.

For example, if a user sets and then subsequently meets a goal, theachievement of this goal will be recorded by the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605. In response, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will display an icon, such as a representationof a medal, graphically commemorating that achievement. Similarly, ifthe user wins a challenge, that achievement will be recorded by theathletic data display configuration module 605. In response, theathletic data display configuration module 605 will display an icon,such as a representation of a trophy, graphically commemorating thatachievement.

Still further, a user may participate in an event associated with one ormore implementations of the invention. For example, a race sponsor, suchas a marathon race sponsor, may affiliate itself with embodiments of theinvention. If a user runs in the race, completes the race, or places inthe race, then the athletic data display configuration module 605 mayrecord that achievement. In response, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will display an icon, such as a representationof a racing bib, graphically commemorating that achievement. Theathletic data display configuration module 605 may employ any desiredtechnique to record the user's participation in the race. For example,the race sponsor may physically monitor the user's participation, andsubsequently update the athletic data storage 607 directly. Alternately,the user may update the athletic data storage 607 on an honor systembasis.

Of course, still more sophisticated techniques can be used to have theathletic data display configuration module 605 record the user'sachievement. For example, the race sponsor or a third party may providethe user with an electronic recording device that records the user'sprogress through the race. The user can then download the data from theelectronic recording device to the athletic data storage 607 or to theathletic data display configuration module 605. With someimplementations of the invention, the electronic interface device 205 orthe athletic parameter measurement device 207 may even be used to recordthe user's progress through the race, and to subsequently download thedata from the electronic recording device to the athletic data storage607 or to the athletic data display configuration module 605.

Still further, a user may have still other milestones associated withhis or her athletic performance. For example, a user may run achieve arelatively large total distance, such as 100 kilometers, 100 miles, 250kilometers, 250 miles, etc., run at a particularly fast speed, such as amile in less than five minutes, or run for a relatively large totalduration, such as 1000 hours. In response, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 may record that milestone achievement, and thendisplay an icon, such as a representation of an award ribbon,graphically commemorating that achievement.

In this manner, various implementations of the invention can memorializea user's past achievements to provide the user with positive feedback toinspire future athletic performance. Of course, some implementations ofthe invention may memorialize alternate or additional achievements.

Resolutions

Some implementations of the invention may assist a user in resolving toachieve a specific athletic achievement, and then keep that resolution.For example, various embodiments of the invention may provide a userinterface like the user interface 1601 illustrated in FIG. 16. As seenin this figure, the interface 1601 provides a resolution statement 1603with an achievement field 1605 and a consequence field 1607. The userinterface also includes a submission button 1609. When a user wishes tomake a resolution, he or she can insert the desired achievement goal(such as a distance) into the achievement field 1605, and some task orother action that will occur if the user does not meet the statedachievement in the consequence field 1607. Once the user has completedthe information in the achievement field 1605 and the consequence field1607, then the user actives the submission button 1609 to submit theresolution information to the athletic data display configuration module605.

After receiving the resolution information, the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 will monitor the user's athletic activity todetermine whether the user has complied with his or her resolution. Ifthe athletic data display configuration module 605 determines that theuser has met the stated resolution, then the athletic data displayconfiguration module 605 may provide some type of positive feedback tothe user. For example, the athletic data display configuration module605 may send the user an electronic mail message congratulating the useron keeping his or her resolution. Alternately or additionally, theathletic data display configuration module 605 may memorialize theachievement as described above. If, however, the user does not meet thestated resolution, then the athletic data display configuration module605 may encourage the user to perform the specified task or action. Theathletic data display configuration module 605 may, for example, send anelectronic mail message to the user to remind the user of his or herresolution. Of course, various implementations of the invention mayperform alternate or additional actions to encourage the user to performthe specified task or action.

Athletic Equipment Interface

As users or athletes such as runners utilize the systems of embodimentsof the present invention to collect information, a user interface of anembodiment may provide additional features and functionality forathletes to use and share information relating to their physicalactivity. In one exemplary form of the invention, athletic informationis displayed on a user interface 1700 and/or user interface 2400 asdescribed in greater detail below.

For example, a user or athlete may wish to perform their walking,jogging, running, or other athletic activity with the help of anathletic performance device or machine (i.e., athletic equipment). Forexample, the user or athlete may wish to use a stair stepping machine,elliptical machine, treadmill, resistance training (i.e., weight)machine, ergometer, stationary bicycle, climbing machine, or any otherathletic performance device or machine. As described above withreference to FIGS. 1-16, the user or athlete may provide a digital musicplayer 203 that may, among other features, monitor and store athleticperformance data. In an alternate embodiment, the user or athlete mayprovide another storage device, such as flash drive or other similarUniversal Serial Bus (USB) storage device, compact flash, memory stick,secure digital card, or any other portable storage device. As will bedescribed in more detail below, the digital music player 203 or otherstorage device may couple to the athletic performance device or machine,for example via a wired or wireless connection, to interact with theathletic performance device or machine. Additionally, the digital musicplayer 203 or other storage device may couple to the athleticperformance device or machine via a combination of wired and wirelessconnections. For example, the digital music player 203 or other storagedevice may couple to the athletic performance device or machine via awired connection while the user or athlete may interact with or controlthe digital music player 203 or other storage device with a wirelessconnection, for example with a remote control or other similar wirelessdevice.

In an embodiment, the athletic performance data may be generated by oneor more athletic performance sensors located on or adjacent to the useror athlete, for example on or in the user or athlete's shoe asillustrated by FIG. 4. In an alternate embodiment, athletic performancedata may be generated by one or more athletic performance sensorscoupled to the athletic performance device or machine. In yet anotherembodiment, athletic performance data may be generated by one or moreathletic performance sensors located on or adjacent to the user orathlete and may be generated by one or more athletic performance sensorscoupled to the athletic performance device or machine.

In an embodiment, and as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-16,the user or athlete may provide a digital music player 203 or otherstorage device that may, among other features, monitor and store currentathletic performance data. The digital music player 203 or other storagedevice may further store and provide historical athletic performancedata. The digital music player 203 or other storage device maycommunicate directly with the user interface 1700 via wired or wirelessconnection. For example, the athletic performance device or machineincluding user interface 1700 may further include an interface 1740 thatmay be a wireless transceiver or wired connector to bi-directionallyinterface with the digital music player 203 or other storage device.

More specifically, a particular athletic performance device or machinemay measure or sense performance data for a user or athlete interactingwith the athletic performance device. For example, a stair steppingmachine may communicate weight, climbing rate (e.g., vertical feet perminute), calories burned, heart rate, and the like to the digital musicplayer 203 or other storage device coupled thereto as described above.Further, the digital music player 203 or other storage device maycommunicate historical athletic performance data or other storedathletic performance data to the athletic performance device or machine.In an embodiment, the current athletic performance data, the historicalor stored athletic performance data (e.g., as stored by digital musicplayer 203 or other storage device), or a combination thereof may bedisplayed by user interface 1700. In an embodiment, the user interface1700 may be a console or the like coupled to the athletic performancedevice or machine that is viewable by and accessible to the user orathlete interacting with the athletic performance device or machine.More specifically, the user interface 1700 may be a console thatdisplays the user or athlete's athletic performance substantially inreal-time. Further, the user interface 1700 console may display acomparison of substantially real-time athletic performance data tohistorical or otherwise stored athletic performance data.

In an embodiment, the user interface 1700 console may include one ormore portions. For example, the user interface 1700 console may includea workout portion 1710, a history portion 1720, and a message portion1730. Further, the user interface 1700 may include an interface 1740 tocouple to the digital music player 203 or other storage device. In anembodiment, the interface 1740 may be a wired or wireless interface asintroduced above. The workout portion 1710 may include, for example, aninput device for the user or athlete to input a workout goal or otherworkout parameters. For example, the input device may be a numerical padfor the user or athlete to input a workout goal or other workoutparameters. The user or athlete may utilize the input device to select aquick start (e.g., a predetermined time at a predetermined intensity),or to input workout time, distance, calorie burn, or any other workoutprogram. Further, the workout portion 1710 may include a display so thatthe user or athlete has an indication of their progress in the quickstart, time, distance, calorie burn, or any other workout program.

In one arrangement, data may be sent to and received from an athleticperformance monitoring or tracking site. For example, a user maytransfer data recorded in a digital music player 203, as discussedabove, to the athletic performance tracking site for storage. Thedigital music player 203 may have a connection to a network hosting theathletic performance tracking site. Alternatively, access to theathletic performance tracking site may be facilitated by a piece ofathletic equipment such as an elliptical device, treadmill and the likethat is connected to a network. The athletic performance tracking sitemay be configured to track various types of athletic performance datasuch as best times, most recent workout information, goals, resolutions,challenges and/or combinations thereof. Data stored in the digital musicplayer 203 may be used to update athletic performance tracking site andvice versa. In one or more arrangements, other devices may also be usedto store athletic performance data and/or to communicate with athleticperformance tracking site and a piece of athletic equipment. Forexample, such devices may include mobile phones, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), watches, USB type devices having athleticfunctionality, activity monitoring devices as well as other athleticoriented devices.

The information stored on the digital music player 203 or other portabledevice may be displayed on interface 1700. For example, informationcorresponding to a most recent workout may be displayed on interface1700 to provide a user with a basis of comparison with a currentworkout. In another example, a best workout time for a particular pieceof athletic equipment may be displayed on the athletic equipment tochallenge a user to beat that time. A piece of athletic equipment may beconfigured to automatically select or extract information relating tothat type of athletic equipment while ignoring or discarding otherinformation. Alternatively, the portable device might only transmitinformation relating to a type of athletic equipment the user is using.In one or more configurations, athletic equipment may query an athleticperformance tracking site to obtain workout information. Once suchinformation is obtained, the information can be displayed on theinterface 1700 or on the portable device 203. Furthermore, the portabledevice 203 and/or athletic equipment can be configured to transmitinformation to the athletic performance tacking site. For example,workout data may be immediately transferred from the athletic equipmentto the athletic performance tracking site upon completion of a workout.Thus, bi-directional communication is provided between the portabledevice 203/athletic equipment and the athletic performance trackingsite. Constant updates can be provided from the athletic performancetracking site to the athletic equipment and portable device 203.Communication between the athletic equipment and athletic performancetracking site may be via wired or wireless connections.

The history portion 1720 may interact with the digital music player 203or other storage device via interface 1740 to retrieve historical datarelated to the user or athlete's past performance. For example, thehistory portion 1720 may retrieve and display the user or athlete's lastworkout and best workout for a particular athletic performance device ormachine. In particular, the history portion 1720 may retrieve anddisplay the user or athlete's last and best workout time, distance,calorie burn, distance equivalent (e.g., “cardiovascular miles”) andfloors (e.g., if the history portion is coupled to a stair stepperathletic performance device or machine). Further, the history portionmay display the user or athlete's current athletic performance comparedto their last workout and historical best workout so that they have anindication of their current athletic performance. In an alternateembodiment, the user interface 1700 may receive at least part of thehistorical or otherwise stored athletic performance data associated witha user or athlete via a wired and/or wireless connection to anadditional athletic performance database such as the athleticperformance tracking site. For example the user interface 1700 mayinclude Internet or other web-based connectivity to bi-directionallycommunicate current and/or historical athletic performance data.

The distance equivalent, for example cardiovascular miles, may representathletic performance data of differing types converted to a common unit.For example, a runner may wear a shoe that includes a pedometer oraccelerometer to track distance run, pace, average speed, and the like.The pedometer may further communicate the athletic performance data tothe digital musical player 203 or other storage device for storage andtransmission/relay to the user interface 1700. Alternatively, the useror athlete may be resistance training (i.e., lifting weights) on anynumber of resistance training machines including one or more athleticperformance sensors coupled thereto. The athletic performance sensor(s)may detect total weight lifted (i.e., weight lifted multiplied by thenumber of repetitions), maximum weight lifted, lifting rate/pace, delaybetween sets, and the like. Similarly, the resistance training machinesmay further communicate the athletic performance data to the digitalmusical player 203 or other storage device for storage andtransmission/relay to the user interface 1700.

In an embodiment, the user interface 1700 may thereafter convert thereceived athletic performance data to a common unit. In an embodiment,an athletic performance module may convert the received athleticperformance data to distance (in an embodiment, miles) run. In the aboveexample, the runner's data already represents miles run. However, theresistance trainer's data represents total weight lifted, maximum weightlifted, lifting rate/pace, delay between sets, and the like. The userinterface 1700 may convert the resistance trainer's data to distance runin a variety of manners. For example, the user interface 1700 mayinclude a database, look-up table, or the like that stores predeterminedconversion factors between, for example, total weight lifted and milesrun. The database or look-up table may further contemplate additionalmetrics such as maximum weight lifted, etc., as introduced above.Alternatively, the athletic performance module may apply the data to oneor more algorithms to calculate the distance run equivalent.Accordingly, a goal or challenge may be set in terms of a common unit sothat a user may perform a variety of activities to meet the goal orchallenge.

The user interface 1700 may further determine the calorie usage or burnfor each athletic performance. Once the calorie usage or burn has beendetermined, a database, look-up table, or algorithm may convert calorieusage or burn to miles run based on one or more physical characteristics(e.g., age, weight, gender, heart rate, and the like) of the user orathlete. In one example, 100 calories may equal 1 common unit (e.g., acardiovascular mile). A conversion unit may depend on one or morecharacteristics including weight, height, age, type of athletic activityand the like. Additional comparisons may then be based on thecardiovascular miles or actual miles run or a combination thereof. Theone or more physical characteristics may be provided, for example, bythe digital music player 203, other storage device, or the userinterface 1700 Internet or web connectivity. Alternatively, instead ofdetermining the calorie usage or burn for an athletic performance, theuser interface (in an embodiment via transmission or relay from adigital music player 203, other storage device, or the user interface1700 Internet or web connectivity) may receive the calorie usage or burnfrom the athletic performance device or machine for subsequentconversion to distance run. For example, an ergometer may track thenumber of miles rowed by a user athlete. However, it may also track thecalorie usage or burn corresponding to the miles rowed. Instead ofconverting the miles rowed to miles run, the user interface 1700 mayconvert calorie usage or burn to miles run. Accordingly, the operationof user interface 1700 may be simplified for those athletic performancedevices or machines that already calculate calorie usage or burn. Thoughdescribed with reference to one or few athletic performance metrics, itis to be understood that the user interface 1700 may calculate,determine, or otherwise generate the equivalent distance run based onany number of athletic performance metrics.

Once the athletic performance of the user or athlete has been convertedto a common unit, for example miles run, they may compare their athleticperformance with personal goals, against athletic performancebenchmarks, and/or against historical athletic performance. For example,a user or athlete may establish a personal goal of running 100 miles,but may wish to achieve the equivalent of running 100 miles byperforming a variety of athletic activities including activitiesinvolving one or more athletic performance devices or machines.Similarly, an athletic benchmark or milestone may suggest running 25miles per week. A user or athlete may reach the benchmark or milestoneby any form of athletic activity. Finally, once their athleticperformance or activities have been converted to a common unit, in anembodiment miles run, multiple active people and athletes mayparticipate in competitions, races, or other events. Such competitions,races, or other events are described herein and generally by U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/031,380 filed Feb. 14, 2008, and incorporatedherein in its entirety.

A message portion 1730 may display messages for the user or athlete. Forexample, the message portion 1730 may remind the user or athlete tosynchronize their digital music player 203 or other storage device withthe user interface 1700 or 2300 to transfer athletic performance data.Further, the message portion may provide an indication as to how acurrent workout or athletic performance data compares to the bestworkout or athletic performance data for the user or athlete. If theuser or athlete is participating in a challenge, competition, or thelike, the message portion 1730 may provide an indication as to the useror athlete's progress or comparison to the challenge or competitionleader. Additionally, the message portion 1730 may providecongratulatory remarks or other feedback should the user or athleteachieve a personal goal, benchmark, or milestone.

FIGS. 18-22 disclose another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment utilizes a portable device in the form of awearable device assembly 1800 that communicates with the athleticperformance device or machine similar to the communication between theathletic performance device or machine and digital music player 203 orother storage device as described above. The wearable device assembly1800 generally includes a wearable device 1802 that in one exemplaryembodiment is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) type device 1802, and acarrier 1804 that in one exemplary embodiment takes the form of awristband 1804. The device 1802 has many features similar to a USB flashdrive, but has additional athletic functionality like that describedabove with respect to the digital music player 203 or other storagedevice. In addition, the device 1802 is removably connected to thewristband 1804.

As further shown in FIGS. 18-21, the USB type device 1802 generallyincludes a housing 1806 and a controller 1808 that is contained by thehousing 1806. General components and functional capabilities of thecontroller 1808 regarding athletic functionality are similar to thedigital music player 203 or other storage device described above. Thehousing 1806 includes a connector 1810 that is generally a standard USBconnector having leads 1812 or contacts embedded therein. As explainedin greater detail below, the connector 1810 is adapted to connect to aUSB hub of a computer (FIG. 22) or a USB hub or other interface locatedon the athletic performance device or machine (shown schematically onthe console shown in FIG. 17). Such a connection is also shownschematically on the fitness equipment 4200 shown in FIG. 42. In FIG.42, fitness equipment 4200 includes a console 4205 to which a sportbandsuch as sportband 4207 a and a digital music player such as digitalmusic player 4207 b may be connected. In some arrangements, sportband4207 a and digital music player 4207 may plug directly into console4205. In other arrangements, sportband 4207 a and digital music player4207 may be connected through a cable (not shown). The illustratedconnection between each of sportband 4207 a and digital music player4207 b with console 4205 is illustrated as a physical connection.However, various other connection types may be used including wirelessconnections (e.g., infrared connections, wireless local area networkconnections, BLUETOOTH connections and the like).

Referring again to FIGS. 18-21, the housing 1806 has a first pushbutton1814 that will cooperate with a first input of the controller 1808 forcontrolling the wearable device 1802 as needed. The housing 1806 alsohas a second pushbutton 1816 that cooperates with a second input of thecontroller 1808 for controlling the wearable device 1802 as needed. Thefront side of the housing 1806 accommodates a display 1818 of thecontroller 1808. As further shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the back side ofthe housing 1806 has a protrusion 1820. The protrusion 1820 has agenerally circular cross-section and an enlarged rounded head. Theprotrusion 1820 is adapted to be inserted into a receiver or aperture inthe carrier 1804.

As further shown in FIG. 21, the components of the controller 1808 arecontained within and supported by the housing 1806. The controller 1808includes various electrical components allowing the controller 1808 anddevice 1802 to act as an interface device wherein the device 1802 cancommunicate with, for example, a shoe-based sensor, record and storedata relating to athletic performance, other time information, as wellas upload performance data to a remote location or website as describedin greater detail below. The controller 1808 can also interact with anathletic performance device or machine for data recording as describedabove. Thus, athletic performance data can be transferred from theathletic equipment during a workout and stored on the device 1802.

As shown in FIG. 18, the carrier 1804 is generally in the form of awristband having a central portion between a first end and a second end.The wristband 1804 may include a first member and second membergenerally molded or connected together. The wristband is flexible to fitaround a user's wrist. The wristband 1804 has receiving structures forconnection to the device 1802. The carrier 1804 includes a protectivesleeve 1822 proximate the central portion for receiving the connector1810. The protective sleeve 1822 has a generally contoured surface. Thesleeve 1822 may have internal structure for assisting in securing theconnector 1810. Also at the central portion, the carrier 1804 has anaperture 1824 (FIG. 21) dimensioned to receive the protrusion 1820 ofthe wearable device 1802. Thus, when the wearable device 1802 isconnected to the wristband 1804, the connector 1810 is secured withinthe protective sleeve 1822 and the protrusion 1820 is received by theaperture 1824.

As discussed, in one configuration, the wearable device assembly 1800 isoperably connected to a sensor such as mounted in a shoe. Similar to thedigital music player 203 or other storage device, the wearable device1802 receives data from the sensor associated with the athleticperformance of a user. It is understood that the user may wear thedevice on the wrist while performing an athletic activity. The user maythen remove the wearable device 1802 from the wristband 1804 and plugthe device 1802 into a personal computer such as shown in FIG. 22,wherein collected data can be uploaded to a remote location such as awebsite dedicated to displaying the athletic performance of users, suchas the athletic performance tracking site described above.

In another configuration, the wearable device 1802 can be used inconjunction with athletic performance devices or machines, for examplegym equipment. For example, gym equipment such as treadmills, ellipticalmachines, stair machines, bicycles, other weight equipment and the likemay have USB ports for added functionality. A user may remove thewearable device 1802 from the wristband 1804 and insert the device 1802into the gym equipment, such as in a USB port or other interface locatedon the stepper console shown in FIG. 17. Such configuration is alsoshown in FIG. 42. The user performs athletic activity wherein dataassociated with the activity is received by the USB device 1802. Thetype of data capable of being received by the USB device is generallysimilar to the data reception described above with the operableconnection between the digital music player 203 or other storage deviceand the gym equipment.

Once the athletic activity is complete, the user removes the USB device1802 from the gym equipment and again mounts the device on the wristband1804 or some other carrier as desired. The user can then insert the USBdevice 1802 into a personal computer wherein the data from the athleticactivity associated with the gym equipment can be uploaded to a remotelocation such as the above described website. Additional wired orwireless communication capabilities could also be incorporated into thedevice 1802.

Though described with reference to bi-directionally communicatingathletic performance data, in an additional embodiment, the digitalmusic player 203, other storage device, and/or user interface 1700Internet or web-based connectivity may control one or more parameters ofthe athletic performance device or machine. For example, the digitalmusic player 203, other storage device, and/or user interface 1700Internet or web-based connectivity may provide a workout level,duration, intensity, pace, incline, target heart rate, resistance, orany other parameter associated with an athletic performance device ormachine. In an embodiment, the one or more parameters may reflectcurrent and/or historical athletic performance data. Alternately oradditionally, the one or more parameters may reflect an athleticperformance training program or plan.

FIGS. 23-39 illustrate the collection and display of a user or athlete'sperformance data by user interface 2400 as collected from the digitalmusic player 203 or other storage device. In an embodiment, athleticperformance data is collected, for example and as illustrated by FIG.23, when the digital music player 203 is synchronized. In an alternateembodiment, at least the performance data associated with the athleticperformance device or machine (i.e., gym equipment) may be communicatedand collected via a network, Internet, or other wired or wirelessconnection. For example, the athletic performance device or machine maycouple to a network and or the Internet via a wired or wirelessconnection to transmit and receive athletic performance data associatedwith the user or athlete. Once the user or athlete's data has beencollected, the user or athlete may view and interact with the athleticperformance data as illustrated by user interface 2400 of FIG. 24.

For example, FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate that user interface 2400 maydisplay details associated with a workout or other athletic performance.As illustrated, the details correspond to a workout on an ellipticalmachine. FIG. 25 in particular illustrates that the thirty minuteelliptical workout has been converted to an equivalent miles run. Once aworkout has been converted to its equivalent in miles run, it may bedisplayed alongside actual miles run as part of, for example, aninteractive athletic training tool and/or interactive athletic traininglog. Such an interactive athletic training tool and/or interactiveathletic training log is described by U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/032,018, filed Feb. 27, 2008, and incorporated hereinin its entirety.

More specifically, FIG. 26 illustrates a range of dates for which theuser or athlete has completed a run or other athletic performance. Fordates on which the user or athlete completed their workout at least inpart on one or more athletic performance devices or machines, theathletic performance data is illustrated with, for example, a differentlegend than actual running athletic performance data. For example, datessuch as May 15 are displayed with a heart icon or other similaridentification to illustrate that the user interface 2400 is displayingan equivalent distance (i.e., “cardiovascular miles”) for a particularworkout or athletic performance. FIG. 27 illustrates that the userinterface 2400 may display details of a workout, for example type ofathletic performance device or machine, equivalent distance, duration,and calorie usage or burn.

FIG. 28 illustrates that the user or athlete may sort their workouts orathletic performance based on whether the workouts or athleticperformance represent actual distance run or equivalent cardiovasculardistance. For example, the user or athlete may select that userinterface 2400 display all runs and cardiovascular distance, all runsonly, or all cardiovascular distance only. FIG. 29 illustrates userinterface 2400 displaying only equivalent cardiovascular distance orathletic performance. FIG. 30 illustrates user interface 2400 displayingonly actual distance run.

FIG. 31 illustrates that the user or athlete may utilize user interface2400 to establish goals, benchmarks, milestones, and/or athletictraining programs. For example, FIG. 32 illustrates that the user orathlete has established a goal of covering fifty miles in twelve weeks.Further, FIG. 32 illustrates the user or athlete's progress. In anembodiment, the user or athlete may achieve their goal by running,performing other athletic activities, or a combination thereof.Accordingly, the user or athlete's progress is displayed as a sum of anyactual run distance and any equivalent cardiovascular distance. The useror athlete may therefore utilize various athletic performance activitiesto achieve their goal. If a user chooses to use a variety of athleticactivities, interface 2400 or a goal tracking system may record the typeof machine used to achieve various portions of the goal. Additionally oralternatively, users or athletes may publish their goals and theirprogress to others individuals such as other users, friends, trainers,teammates and family members. In one example, a trainer may track theprogress of multiple trainees in reaching a specified goal and offersuggestions for improvement, encouraging comments and the like.

FIG. 33 illustrates that the user or athlete may utilize user interface2400 to participate in competitions, challenges, races, or other eventsas described herein and generally by U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/031,380 filed Feb. 14, 2008. In particular, the user or athlete mayparticipate in the competition, challenge, race, or other event bycompleting runs, other athletic performance activities, or a combinationthereof. Accordingly, their progress within the competition, challenge,race, or other event is determined by a sum of any actual runs and anyother athletic performance as measured by equivalent cardiovasculardistance. Further, the competition, challenge, race, or other event mayspecify a run portion and an athletic performance activity portion. Forexample, a fifty mile challenge may include twenty-five miles of actualrunning distance and twenty-five miles of equivalent cardiovasculardistance.

FIG. 35 illustrates that a user or athlete may select one or morechallenges in which to participate. In an embodiment, the challenges aresorted by total distance (i.e., including actual run distance andequivalent cardiovascular distance). FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate that theuser interface 2400 may display the progress of one or more users orathletes participating in the competition, challenge, race, or otherevent. The progress of each user or athlete may be illustrated as acombination of actual run distance and equivalent cardio miles. Forexample, the progress of each user or athlete may be illustrated by abar chart for which the actual run distance and equivalentcardiovascular distance have different colors, color schemes, patterns,or the like to distinguish which portion of the total distance coveredrepresents each. Alternatively, the competition, challenge, race, orother event may include individual requirements for actual run distanceand equivalent cardiovascular distance for which a user or athlete'sprogress in each may be displayed separately. Further, the user orathlete's run performance may be compared to their other athleticperformance, for example as measured by equivalent cardiovasculardistance.

Challenges may further specify specific types of athletic activity thatare required to reach the challenge goal. For example, a challenge mayindicate that 25 cardio miles must be performed on an elliptical, 50cardio miles in weightlifting and 30 cardio miles in rowing.Alternatively, a challenge might only specify a total amount of cardiomiles (or other common unit) regardless of the machine or activityperformed. Challenges may also include a certain distance run as well ascertain activity on a machine such as an elliptical machine andspecifying a certain number of cardio miles. Thus, the challenges caninclude a variety of different activities. According to another aspect,challenges may take into account locations where athletic activity isperformed. For example, a challenge may be issued for members of aparticular gym or gym location. In another example, a challenge may bespecific to all locations of a particular gym chain/provider. In yetanother example, a challenge may be offered to a specific gym locationor branch. Accordingly, gyms may compete against other gyms in achallenge. Similarly, challenges may be issued to have classes or groupswithin a gym compete with other classes or groups within the same gym oranother gym.

FIGS. 38 and 39 illustrate that the user interface 2400 may also serveas an athletic training tool and/or athletic training log such asdescribed by U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/032,018, filed Feb.27, 2008. For example, a user or athlete may select a training programto train for walk-to-run, five kilometers, ten kilometers, a halfmarathon, and/or a marathon. Further, the user or athlete may train fora duathalon. More specifically, and as illustrated by FIG. 39, aduathalon may include actual run distance and equivalent cardiovasculardistance components. Alternatively, a user or athlete may complete thetraining program with any combination of actual distance run orequivalent cardiovascular distance based on other athletic performanceactivity.

Training programs may be defined in a variety of ways and may includeequipment specific tasks. For example, a training program may specifythat 2 miles are to be walked on a treadmill on day one, while 3 milesare to be biked on a bicycle on day two. Training programs may thusrecord the type of machine on which athletic activity was performed. Theuse of different machines may aid in training different skills orathletic abilities in reaching an overall goal such as a triathlon ormarathon. Training programs may be directed to an individual or may bedefined for a group of people. Solo training programs may guideindividuals in performing a single athletic activity or multiple typesof athletic activity. The training program and the user's progress inreaching a specified goal may be shared with other users, friends,family, trainers, coaches and the like.

FIG. 40 illustrates a tracking interface for reaching a specified goal.For example, the user may set a goal to run a marathon in a desiredamount of time (e.g., marathon in 5 hours) by a specified date.Accordingly, the training program may include a series of runs ofincreasing distance to help the user achieve his or her specified goal.Passed runs may be displayed with the goal or objective for that run aswell as the actual miles run. Hovering or otherwise interacting with oneof the goals or objectives shows the user the goal for that particularrun or day. For December 20, for example, the goal is to run 8 miles in1 hour. Interface 4000 may be provided on a console of an athletictraining device (e.g., elliptical, rowing machine, bicycle, treadmill),on an athletic training network site and/or on a portable user device.

Group training may share features similar to those of solo training, butinstead of a single user following the training program, multiple usersmay be participating in the training program based on the same schedule.A trainer, for example, may thus track the progress of the overall groupto identify how the group is doing in terms of achieving each task andprogressing toward a goal as well as how each individual member isperforming and contributing to the group's overall goal. A trainer mayissue comments and suggestions to all members of the group or mayprovide user-specific comments that only the user to which the commentsare directed can view. Whether solo or group, training programs may beedited and adjusted according to user needs. For example, if a usercannot workout on Friday, Saturday and Sunday's planned workout may beincreased to compensate for the lack of athletic activity on Friday. Inanother example, a trainer may edit a type of athletic activity to beperformed if the trainer believes that a trainee is lacking a particularathletic ability such as endurance or speed.

In one or more arrangements, athletic activity may be tracked usingelectronic avatars. Generally speaking, an avatar may be a graphicaltwo-dimensional icon or a 3-dimensional model that may represent a user.An avatar may be as simple as a picture of the user or may be agraphical object that may represent the user's actions, beliefs,interests, appearance, identity, personality, and the like. An avatarmay be further animated. Avatars are further described in U.S.application Ser. No. 12/324,140, entitled “INTERACTIVE AVATAR FOR SOCIALNETWORK SERVICES,” and filed Nov. 26, 2008, the content of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one or more arrangements, avatars or avatar appearance may further beathletic equipment specific. For example, a user may want to specifydifferent avatars for a treadmill and an elliptical machine. In anotherexample, a user may want to use the same avatar, but wearing differentclothing for different athletic equipment. In one or more arrangements,an avatar may exist on a user's portable device, on athletic equipment,on a network site or combinations thereof. For example, when a user isworking out on a treadmill, a user interface of the treadmill maydisplay the user's avatar. The treadmill may receive avatar informationfrom the user's portable device or from an athletic performance trackingsite.

Various attributes of the avatar may change based on a user's athleticactivity to provide motivation and encouragement. For example, newclothes or shoes may be made available to the user's avatar if the userreaches certain goals. In another example, an avatar may grow bigger orappear more muscular upon the user achieving various goals. In one ormore arrangements, avatar rewards (e.g., shoes, t-shirts) may bespecific to a gym provider, a gym location and/or to classes or programswithin a gym. According to another aspect, avatar rewards may be definedby other users to help motivate a team member or friend.

FIG. 41 illustrates an example avatar customization interface throughwhich a user may create a new avatar. Avatar creation interface 4100 mayinitially display a default avatar 4101, feature categories 4103,specific features 4105, a randomize option 4107, a publish option 4109and a cancel option 4111. Starting from default avatar 4101, a user maymodify various characteristics such as hair style or color, facialexpression, lips, eye brows, eyes, nose, shirt, pants, shoes andaccessories. Although not illustrated, other characteristics may also bemodifiable. For example, in some embodiments, an avatar's body shape,ears and hands may be customized. Using categories 4103, each of theabove mentioned characteristics may be customized according to theuser's preference. In one example, and as illustrated, a user may modifythe shoes that avatar 4101 is wearing. In particular, specific features4105 include a variety of shoes that are available to the user for hisor her avatar. In some instances, new shoes or other features might onlybe available upon completion of a certain challenge, action, goal or thelike. The shoes available for the avatar could also correspond to alatest actual shoe model offered by a shoe manufacturer or some othershoe design currently in fashion among users. The unavailable shoes 4115or other feature might be shown in a dark outline (i.e., withoutsignificant details) along with the goal 4117 that needs be met. Forexample, some shoes might not be available for selection until a userhas run a specified distance. A user may further select the ‘X’ option4113 if he or she wishes to remove shoes from avatar 4101. Additionally,a user may select a color of the shoe or other feature being customizedusing color palette 4119. An unlocked lock symbol 4121 next to orotherwise associated with a selectable feature may indicate that theselectable feature is newly available to the user. Interface 4100 may beaccess through a console of an athletic training device (e.g.,elliptical, rowing machine, bicycle, treadmill), an athletic trainingnetwork site and/or a portable user device.

In a group or challenge setting, multiple avatars may be displayed in aninterface to illustrate the progress of each user in the group orchallenge. For example, if two users are competing for a 10-miles rungoal, a user interface may display both avatars in relative position toone another based on how far each user has actually run. This may helpmotivate users to close the gap if they are behind and to furtherincrease a lead if they are leading in the challenge. In anotherexample, if two users are teammates trying to achieve a common goal, afirst user may send a reward or words of encouragement to a second userif the first user sees, via the avatars, that the second user is fallingbehind in training. Users may view performance information by hoveringover or otherwise interacting with an avatar. Users may also share orotherwise publish their avatar to other users or the general public toshow their athletic progress.

Depending on a location or circumstance, users may be able to view otherusers' avatars. For example, if a user is in a spinning class, avatarsfor all members of the class may be shared with the class.Alternatively, avatars of treadmill runners in a gym may be shared withall other treadmill runners. Users may elect to participate in avatarand athletic performance information sharing or may set their athleticinformation to private. The sharing of avatars and associated athleticperformance data may encourage or motivate users.

Data collected by athletic performance tracking sites or by athleticequipment may be shared locally (e.g., at that machine) or acrosslocations. For example, athletic data may be shared by all machines in aparticular gym location or across all gym locations of a gym provider.In another example, data collected in the past 24 hours (or some othertime frame) may be used as comparison data for a current user. That is,a user may be able to compare his or her current athletic activity to anaverage of athletic activity performed in the past 24 hours by otherusers. Athletic data may further be shared across gym locations ofdifferent gym providers. In one arrangement, an athletic performancetracking site may receive athletic performance data from one or more gymlocations. The athletic performance tracking site may be configured tofilter the received data and sort the information based on location, gymprovider, user, athletic equipment used and/or combinations thereof.Once filtered, data may then be transmitted to various locations. Forexample, all data for a gym provider may be sent to all locations ofthat gym provider. In another example, data for spinning classes for allgym providers may be shared. Alternatively or additionally, gymlocations or gym providers may collect their own data, e.g., in a backoffice system, and filter what is to be shared with other gym locationsor providers.

CONCLUSION

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fallwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: storing historical data forathletic activity performed by a first user using an athleticperformance device; determining an amount of athletic activity performedby a second user using the athletic performance device; and comparingthe amount of athletic activity performed by the second user to thehistorical data.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein further comprisingproviding one or more messages to the user based on how the athleticactivity of the user compares with the historical data.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the one or more messages includes a motivationalmessage.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more messagesincludes a suggestion for beating an average of the historical data. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the historicaldata to a remote network site.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising transferring the historical data to a portable user device.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the athletic performance device islocated at a first location and wherein the method further comprisestransmitting the historical data to a second location.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising: receiving athletic performance data fromthe second location; and comparing the athletic activity performed bythe user with the athletic performance data received form the secondlocation.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first location is afirst athletic training facility and wherein the second location is asecond athletic training facility.
 10. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising extracting data specific to a type of athletic activity fromthe received athletic performance data.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the type of athletic activity corresponds to the athleticactivity performed by the user and wherein the method further comprisescomparing only the extracted data to the athletic activity performed bythe user.